braai

American  

[brahy] / braɪ /

noun

plural

braais

1. (South Africa) an outdoor wood-fired grill.

2. (South Africa) meat cooked over an open fire or on an outdoor wood-fired grill.

3. (South Africa) a social gathering centered around the cooking and eating of grilled food.

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verb (used with object)

braaied, braaiing

1. (South Africa) to cook (food, especially meat or fish) over an open fire or a wood-fired grill.

adjective

1. (South Africa) relating to the process of cooking food over an open fire or an outdoor wood-fired grill.

braai British  

/ braɪ /

verb

1. to grill or roast (meat) over open coals

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noun

1. short for braaivleis

Other Word Forms

• braaier
  noun

Etymology

Origin of braai

Afrikaans

Example Sentences

"I believe braai is like a hidden language that we all speak, yet we don't understand it yet. We all can come around a fire with no issue, no barriers, and just get along."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2023

Try this braai sout, a fragrant dry rub from South Africa, on a juicy T-bone steak.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2023

Injured in South Africa on the tour, Robbie was isolated in a hotel room awaiting treatment when he was invited to a traditional South African braai in Durban.

From The Guardian • Mar. 27, 2020

Will Wisconsin, land of the brat, become land of the braai?

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 25, 2016

At Imbizo, a sprawling braai joint with indoor-outdoor seating in Alexandra, you pick your meat from the adjoining butcher shop, then carry the platter to the grilling area, where cooks barbecue it for you.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 10, 2014