Plates: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is commonly used to refer to flat dishes from which food is eaten or served. It is a general term suitable for most dining situations, whether formal or informal.

• Please put your dirty plates in the sink.
• We need more plates for the dinner party.

This can refer to both the individual plates, bowls, and cups used to serve food, as well as the food itself. It is often used to talk about the entire set of items used in a meal or the variety of foods being offered.

• I need to wash the dishes after dinner.
• She prepared several delicious dishes for the guests.

Saucers are small dishes placed under teacups or coffee cups to catch drips or hold the spoon. They are used primarily in more formal settings or for tea and coffee service.

• Please place the cup on the saucer to avoid spills.
• The tea set includes matching cups, saucers, and a teapot.

Platters are large, flat serving dishes typically used to present or serve large amounts of food. They are often used for parties, gatherings, or special occasions.

• The turkey was served on a large silver platter.
• We arranged the appetizers on a decorative platter.

Use when referring to flat, typically round objects used for serving or eating food. Can also be used in technical or geological contexts to refer to large, flat objects like tectonic plates.

• We need more plates for the party.
• The Earth's crust is divided into several moving plates.

Use this when referring to applying a layer of something, especially liquids or pastes, onto a surface. Also used for clothing items worn to keep warm.

• She decided to coat the chicken with breadcrumbs.
• He put on his coat before leaving the house.

Appropriate when referring to placing something over another object to protect, conceal, or shelter it. Also used metaphorically to mean addressing or dealing with a topic.

• She used a blanket to cover the baby.
• Let's cover all the key points before the meeting.

Best used when describing a layer that is added on top of another, often in digital or graphical contexts. It can also mean a decorative layer added to something.

• The map has an overlay showing the population density.
• He decided to add an overlay of gold to the wooden surface.