roast
roast Lexical Profile
roast Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large cut of meat that has been cooked or is suitable for cooking by dry heat in an oven, or a meal featuring such meat.
"She placed a seasoned pork roast in the oven to cook slowly for three hours."
A specific batch or degree of heat treatment applied to coffee beans, nuts, or malt to develop their flavor and color.
"He prefers a dark roast for his morning espresso because of its bold, smoky flavor."
An event or comedic tribute at which a guest of honor is subjected to good-natured teasing, jokes, and humorous insults by peers.
"Several prominent comedians gathered at the banquet to participate in a charity roast of the retiring actor."
An outdoor social gathering or picnic where food is cooked over an open fire or grill.
"The neighborhood association organized an autumn corn roast at the local park."
• verb
To cook food (especially meat or vegetables) by prolonged exposure to dry heat in an oven or over a fire.
"We decided to roast root vegetables with olive oil and rosemary to accompany the main course."
To process coffee beans, nuts, seeds, or metallurgical ores by heating them strongly without melting or burning.
"The local cafe uses a specialized drum machine to roast green coffee beans in small batches."
To criticize harshly or tease someone in a humorous, mocking, or merciless manner.
"His friends never missed an opportunity to roast him about his questionable fashion choices."
To make or become uncomfortably hot from exposure to intense heat or sunlight.
"The spectators began to roast under the midday sun in the unshaded stadium."
• adjective
Cooked by prolonged exposure to dry heat in an oven or over an open fire (used directly before a noun, especially of meat or vegetables).
"The restaurant is famous for its traditional Sunday dinner featuring roast beef and Yorkshire pudding."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an adjective modifying food (e.g., 'roast beef', 'roast potatoes'), 'roast' is used directly before a noun, whereas 'roasted' is preferred in predicate positions or when referring to nuts and coffee beans (e.g., 'the potatoes are roasted', 'roasted almonds').
• Rhymes for roast
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 13th century from Old French 'rostir' (to roast), which is of Frankish and West Germanic origin, related to Old High German 'rosten' (to cook on a gridiron or grate).