Undercooked Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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undercooked

[หŒสŒndษ™rหˆkสŠkt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

food preparation

Not cooked sufficiently; partially cooked.

Synonyms

half-cooked, rare, raw, uncooked.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
undercooked

This term is often used to describe food that has not been cooked long enough and is not safe to eat or is not as tasty as it should be. It usually implies a negative or disappointing result.

  • The chicken was undercooked and I had to send it back.
  • Undercooked rice can be very hard to chew and digest.
raw

Refers to food that has not been cooked at all. Often used for ingredients like vegetables, fish (in sushi), or certain types of meat. It can also imply something is unprocessed or in its natural state.

  • She enjoys raw carrots as a snack.
  • Sushi often includes raw fish, which is considered a delicacy.
uncooked

Generically refers to food that has not been cooked. Can be used for any type of food that is normally cooked before eating.

  • The recipe called for uncooked pasta to be added later in the cooking process.
  • Keep the uncooked dough in the fridge until you are ready to bake.
rare

Typically used to describe meat, particularly steak, that has been cooked very briefly so that it remains red inside. This is a preferred level of doneness for many people.

  • He ordered his steak rare, loving the more natural flavor.
  • A rare burger might not be safe to eat if not cooked properly.
half-cooked

Similar to undercooked, but often suggests that the cooking process was only partially completed. It can also carry a negative connotation, implying something is not ready or complete.

  • The potatoes were half-cooked, making the dish unpleasant.
  • Donโ€™t serve half-cooked meat to your guests; it can be unsafe.

Examples of usage

  • The chicken was undercooked and still pink in the middle.
  • She got food poisoning from eating undercooked fish.
  • The pasta was undercooked and too hard to eat.

Translations

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Origin of 'undercooked'

The word 'undercooked' originated from the combination of 'under' and 'cooked'. It first appeared in the early 20th century, specifically in the context of food preparation. The term is commonly used to describe food that has not been cooked sufficiently or thoroughly. In culinary settings, undercooked food can pose health risks due to potential bacterial contamination or incomplete cooking of ingredients.


See also: cook, cooked, cooker, cookhouse, cookie, cooking, cookout, cooktop, cookware, overcook, overcooked, precook, precooked, uncooked.