Cooking
'kʊkɪŋ
Definitions
2 meaningsThe process of preparing food using heat, such as by baking, boiling, frying, or grilling.
'kʊkɪŋ
To prepare food by applying heat.
She loves cooking different cuisines from around the world.
💡 Simply: Cooking is like giving food a hot bath or a fiery hug to make it yummy and safe to eat! It's what we do when we make a sandwich or a whole meal.
👶 For kids: Making food ready to eat by using heat!
More Examples
I'm learning how to cook my favorite dishes.
The chef is cooking a special meal for the guests.
How It's Used
"She is cooking dinner tonight."
"I'm cooking up some pasta for lunch."
The act of preparing food, often as a skill, hobby, or profession.
'kʊkɪŋ
The activity or process of preparing food.
Cooking is a relaxing hobby for many people.
💡 Simply: Cooking is the fun process of turning raw ingredients into delicious meals. It is a skill or something you do for fun.
👶 For kids: Making food that we can eat!
More Examples
The aroma of delicious cooking filled the house.
She's passionate about cooking and trying new recipes.
How It's Used
"I enjoy the art of cooking."
"Cooking is one of her favourite hobbies."
Idioms & expressions
cook up
To invent or create something, often a story or a plan.
"They cooked up a plan to surprise their friend."
what's cooking?
What is happening? What's going on?
"Hey, what's cooking? Anything exciting happening?"
From Middle English *coken*, from Old English *cōcian* 'to cook, prepare food,' related to Old High German *kuhhon* 'to cook'. The -ing suffix indicates the present participle or gerund form.
The verb 'cook' has been used since the 13th century, initially referring to preparing food using fire. The gerund 'cooking' developed as a noun to refer to the activity of cooking.
Memory tip
Think of the sizzling sound and aroma of food transforming in the heat.
Word Origin
"to cook, prepare food"