dish

[dish]

noun

1. an open, relatively shallow container of pottery, glass, metal, wood, etc., used for various purposes, especially for holding or serving food.

2. any container used at table.

   dirty dishes.

3. the food served or contained in a dish.

   The meal consisted of several dishes.

4. a particular article, type, or preparation of food.

   Rice is an inexpensive dish.

5. the quantity held by a dish; dishful.

   a dish of applesauce.

6. anything like a dish in form or use.

7. concavity or the degree of concavity, as of a wheel.

8. Also called dish antenna. a concave, dish-shaped reflector serving to focus electromagnetic energy as part of a transmitter or receiver of radio, television, or microwave signals.

9. Slang.,  an attractive person, especially a female.

   His wife is quite a dish.

10. Slang.,  an item of gossip.

verb (used with object)

1. to put into or serve in a dish, as food.

   to dish food onto plates.

2. to fashion like a dish; make concave.

3. Slang.,  to gossip about.

   They talked all night, dishing their former friends.

4. Slang.,  to defeat; frustrate; cheat.

verb (used without object)

1. Slang.,  to talk together informally, especially, to gossip.

verb phrase

1. dish out

   1. to serve (food) from a serving dish, pot, etc.

   2. to deal out; distribute.

      She dished out our pay in silver dollars.

dish

/ dɪʃ /

noun

1. a container used for holding or serving food, esp an open shallow container of pottery, glass, etc

2. the food that is served or contained in a dish

3. a particular article or preparation of food

   a local fish dish

4. Also called: dishful. the amount contained in a dish

5. something resembling a dish, esp in shape

6. a concavity or depression

7. short for dish aerial satellite dish aerial

8. informal,  an attractive person

9. informal,  something that one particularly enjoys or excels in

verb

1. to put into a dish

2. to make hollow or concave

3. informal,  to ruin or spoil

   he dished his chances of getting the job

Other Word Forms

• underdish noun
• dishlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dish¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English disc dish, plate, bowl (akin to German Tisch table) < Latin discus dish, discus

Word History and Origins

Origin of dish¹

Old English disc, from Latin discus quoit, see _disc

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. dish it out, to dispense abusive language, punishment, or praise, enthusiastic approval, etc..

   When it comes to flattery, he can really dish it out.

More idioms and phrases containing dish

• dishwater
• do the dishes

Example Sentences

“But suddenly, somehow, he was back, dishing it out. It was shocking.”

From Los Angeles Times

Brunch was incredible, with classic Peruvian dishes alongside inventive twists on brunch favorites.

From Salon

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese is great as a weekday lunch or a side dish paired with your favorite salads and protein.

From Salon

The dish, I thought, deserved better than to be shelved with the sunscreen.

From Salon

Then, earlier this month, she set a new Guinness record after cooking more than 8.7 tonnes of the renowned West African dish, jollof rice, in one specially made pot.

From BBC

Related Words

• bowl 
• container 
• cup 
• plate 
• platter 
• pot 
• tray