Synonyms

deep-fry

American

[deep-frahy] / ˈdipˈfraɪ /

verb (used with object)

deep-fried, deep-frying

to fry in a quantity of fat sufficient to cover the food being cooked.

deep-fry British

verb

to cook (fish, potatoes, etc) in sufficient hot fat to cover the food entirely

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of deep-fry

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s not like one of those vegan places that’s trying to trick you or deep-fry their way around things.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

Since we don’t deep-fry them, there’s no need to roll the filled tortillas into tubes; spooning the filling over one half of a flour tortilla and folding it over will do.

From Washington Times • Jul. 24, 2023

To fry clams, coat the bivalve mollusks in a batter and deep-fry until they crispy and golden-brown.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2023

Roll in beaten egg, then in breadcrumbs or cornmeal, and shallow or deep-fry until golden-brown.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2021

Why didn’t we like the thick fatty pig skin that she would deep-fry so long that it tasted like rubber?

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023