dish

American  

[dish] / dɪʃ /

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.

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.

dish British  

/ 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

dish More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing dish

• dishwater
• do the dishes

---

Other Word Forms

• dishlike adjective
• underdish noun

Etymology

Origin of dish

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

Example Sentences

AFP takes a look at what lies ahead for Yoon, as well as the punishments already dished out to his associates.

From Barron's

For peddlers of body-care products and other hygiene items, from dish detergent to air freshener, winning in the attention economy can include creating a fear of missing out on “limited edition” entertainment tie-ins.

From The Wall Street Journal

Spaghetti is the kind of dish you’d be extra cautious of eating when wearing all white — or the kind of dish that parents may think twice about before giving it to their little kiddies.

From Salon

The grilled chicken burger has long been James Deegan's dish of choice at his favourite restaurant - but he's not particularly impressed by it these days.

From BBC

A now-ubiquitous American comfort food has its origins in pasta dishes that have evolved over centuries.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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