Marinate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ง
marinate
[หmรฆr.ษช.neษชt ]
Definitions
cooking
To soak food in a sauce in order to add flavor or to make it tender. The process involves allowing the food to sit in a mixture of ingredients, such as oil, vinegar, and spices, for a period of time before cooking.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| marinate |
Used when you want to soak food, usually meat or vegetables, in a liquid mixture of spices, herbs, and other ingredients, typically to enhance flavor before cooking.
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| pickle |
Used when preserving food, usually vegetables, in vinegar or brine. It often gives the food a sour taste.
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| season |
Used when adding spices, herbs, or other flavorings to food during or after cooking.
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| flavor |
Used when referring to the general taste of food or drink. It can also mean to add something that enhances this taste.
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Examples of usage
- The recipe calls for marinating the chicken in lemon juice and herbs for at least an hour.
- I like to marinate the steak overnight to enhance the taste.
figurative
To steep or saturate thoroughly, as in a feeling or an idea. It can also refer to soaking something thoroughly in a liquid for a long period of time.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| marinate |
For preparing food, especially meat, by soaking it in a flavoring liquid before cooking.
|
| absorb |
For describing how something takes in liquid, heat, light, or information.
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| soak in |
For allowing a liquid to be absorbed into something, often over a longer period; can also be used metaphorically.
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| imbibe |
For consuming liquids, especially alcohol, often in a more formal or literary context.
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Examples of usage
- She allowed the news to marinate in her mind before deciding how to react.
- The experience marinated in his memory for years to come.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'marinate'
The word 'marinate' comes from the Latin word 'marinatus', which means 'to pickle'. It originally referred to the process of preserving food by soaking it in a seasoned liquid. Over time, the term evolved to include the practice of soaking food in a marinade to enhance its flavor before cooking. The concept of marinating has been used in various cuisines around the world for centuries, with different cultures developing their own unique marinades and techniques.