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

Therrien is famous for his large-scale sculptures — towering stacks of vertigo-inducing dishes, giant beards, enormous folding chairs and oversized pots and pans in humongous cupboards — but each piece is a “trap door,” says Schad.

From Los Angeles Times

The meal began with my favorite dish of the night: bone marrow with short rib marmalade, pickled mustard seeds, watercress salad, and crispy baguette.

From Salon

After a long winter of braises and browns, this dish felt familiar yet surprising: comforting, beige at its base, but with a spark that made my sleepy taste buds sit up.

From Salon

Kim left the North Korean capital on Monday evening onboard his armoured train, which is said to include a restaurant car serving fine French wines and dishes like fresh lobster.

From BBC

In one stage of the competition, contestants were tasked with cooking a dish using ingredients sourced from a true-to-life replica of a convenience store on set.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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