fry

¹

[ frahy ]

verb (used with object)

, fried, fry·ing.

1. to cook in a pan or on a griddle over direct heat, usually in fat or oil.
2. Slang. to execute by electrocution in an electric chair.

verb (used without object)

, fried, fry·ing.

1. to undergo cooking in fat or oil.
2. Slang. to die by electrocution in an electric chair.

noun

, plural fries.

1. a dish of something fried.
2. a piece of french-fried potato.
3. a party or gathering at which the chief food is fried, frequently outdoors:

   a fish fry.

fry

²

[ frahy ]

noun

, plural fry fry or fries

1. a young fish:

   a salmon fry.

2. a young animal of certain other kinds, as frogs and oysters.
3. a person, especially a young or unimportant one:

   The prime minister had to bank on the cooperation of lesser fry.

Fry

³

[ frahy ]

noun

1. Christopher, 1907–2005, English playwright.

fry

¹

/ fraɪ /

verb

1. whentr, sometimes foll by up to cook or be cooked in fat, oil, etc, usually over direct heat
2. informal.
   intr to be excessively hot
3. slang.
   to kill or be killed by electrocution, esp in the electric chair

noun

1. a dish of something fried, esp the offal of a specified animal

   pig's fry

2. a social occasion, often outdoors, at which the chief food is fried
3. informal.
   the act of preparing a mixed fried dish or the dish itself

Fry

²

/ fraɪ /

noun

1. FryChristopher19072005MEnglishTHEATRE: dramatist Christopher . 1907–2005, English dramatist; author of the verse dramas A Phoenix Too Frequent (1946), The Lady's Not For Burning (1948), and Venus Observed (1950)
2. FryElizabeth17801845FEnglishPOLITICS: prison reformerRELIGION: Quaker Elizabeth . 1780–1845, English prison reformer and Quaker
3. FryRoger Eliot18661934MEnglishARTS AND CRAFTS: criticARTS AND CRAFTS: painter Roger Eliot . 1866–1934, English art critic and painter who helped to introduce the postimpressionists to Britain. His books include Vision and Design (1920) and Cézanne (1927)
4. FryStephen (John)1957MBritishWRITING: writerTHEATRE: actorTHEATRE: comedian Stephen ( John ). born 1957, British writer, actor, and comedian; his novels include The Liar (1991) and The Stars' Tennis Balls (2000)

fry

³

/ fraɪ /

plural noun

1. the young of various species of fish
2. the young of certain other animals, such as frogs
3. young children See also small fry

Other Words From

• frya·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fry¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; 1925–30 fry ¹fordef 2; Middle English frien, from Anglo-French, Old French frire, from Latin frīgere “to roast”

Origin of fry²

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English frie, fry “seed, descendant,” perhaps from Old Norse frjō “seed”; cognate with Swedish frö, Gothic fraiw “seed”

Word History and Origins

Origin of fry¹

C13: from Old French frire , from Latin frīgere to roast, fry

Origin of fry²

C14 (in the sense: young, offspring): perhaps via Norman French from Old French freier to spawn, rub, from Latin fricāre to rub

Example Sentences

MT data had an unexpected payoff: a deeper understanding of the risks of space weather events, which induce geoelectric currents that can fry electrical grid infrastructure.

From Science Magazine

In anticipation of Election Day, Trump was seen working the fry station during a viral visit to a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.

From Salon

And now an aw-shucks Pennsylvania fry cook has taken control of the country.

From Slate

The chicken fry and fish fry feature the same recipes used by the restaurant.

From Los Angeles Times

The star of the lab: an updated robot named Flippy that can fry French fries and chicken nuggets much faster than humans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sauté