A1 noun Neutral #3,398 most common

plate

/pleɪt/

A flat, usually round dish that you use to hold and eat food. It can be made of ceramic, glass, plastic, or metal and is a basic piece of tableware.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Please put the plate on the dining table.

Please put the plate on the dining table.

2

The server carefully placed the decorated plate in front of the guest.

The server carefully placed the decorated plate in front of the guest.

3

I'll just use a paper plate so I don't have to wash up.

I'll just use a paper plate so I don't have to wash up.

Word Family

Noun
plate
Verb
plate
Adjective
plated
Related
plating
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'FLAT'. A PLATE is a FLAT dish. Both words have 'L', 'A', and 'T'.

Quick Quiz

I am hungry, please give me a _____ of rice.

Correct!

The correct answer is: plate

Examples

1

Please put the plate on the dining table.

everyday

Please put the plate on the dining table.

2

The server carefully placed the decorated plate in front of the guest.

formal

The server carefully placed the decorated plate in front of the guest.

3

I'll just use a paper plate so I don't have to wash up.

informal

I'll just use a paper plate so I don't have to wash up.

4

Chemical analysis revealed the plate was coated in a lead-based glaze.

academic

Chemical analysis revealed the plate was coated in a lead-based glaze.

5

The restaurant supplier offers a discount on bulk orders of ceramic plates.

business

The restaurant supplier offers a discount on bulk orders of ceramic plates.

Word Family

Noun
plate
Verb
plate
Adjective
plated
Related
plating

Common Collocations

dinner plate dinner plate
paper plate paper plate
clean plate clean plate
empty plate empty plate
side plate side plate

Common Phrases

have a lot on one's plate

to have a lot of work or problems to deal with

hand something on a silver plate

to give something to someone without them having to work for it

clean your plate

to eat every bit of food served to you

Often Confused With

plate vs bowl

A plate is flat for solid food; a bowl is deep and curved for liquids like soup.

plate vs dish

Dish is a general term for all containers or a specific recipe; plate refers specifically to the flat object.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'plate' to refer to the object itself or the amount of food on it (e.g., 'a plate of pasta'). In a restaurant setting, it can also refer to the way food is arranged.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'dish' when they specifically mean the flat circular plate. Also, remember that 'plate' is a countable noun.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'FLAT'. A PLATE is a FLAT dish. Both words have 'L', 'A', and 'T'.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old French word 'plat', meaning flat or level.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: one plate, two plates Usually takes 'on' for location (on the plate) Can be used as a verb meaning to put food onto a plate
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western cultures, finishing everything on your plate is considered polite and a sign that you enjoyed the meal.

Quick Quiz

I am hungry, please give me a _____ of rice.

Correct!

The correct answer is: plate

More Food words

cookie

A1

A cookie is a small, flat, sweet baked food. It is usually made from flour, sugar, and oil or butter, and often includes ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins.

menu

A1

A menu is a list of food and drink options that you can choose from at a restaurant or café. It can also refer to a list of functions or commands displayed on a computer screen.

recipe

A1

A set of written instructions that tell you how to cook or prepare a specific type of food. It usually includes a list of ingredients and step-by-step directions to follow.

cook

A1

To prepare food by heating it so that it is ready to eat. It describes the general process of making a meal using heat sources like a stove or oven.

bake

A1

To cook food by dry heat without direct exposure to a flame, typically in an oven. This method is most commonly used for preparing bread, cakes, and cookies.

fry

A1

A thin strip of potato that has been deep-fried until crispy. It is commonly served as a side dish or snack and is often seasoned with salt.

drink

A1

To take liquid into your mouth and swallow it. It is a basic human action used for hydration, nutrition, or social enjoyment.

milk

A1

Milk is a white liquid produced by female mammals, such as cows and goats, used as food by humans. It is commonly consumed as a drink or used as an ingredient in various recipes like cereal, coffee, and cakes.

tea

A1

A popular drink made by soaking dried leaves in hot water. It can be served hot or cold and is often enjoyed with milk, sugar, or lemon.

egg

A1

An oval object laid by a female bird, especially a chicken, used as food. It consists of a hard outer shell, a clear white, and a yellow center called the yolk.

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