potato
A round or oval root vegetable with a thin brown, red, or yellow skin and white or yellow flesh inside. It is one of the most common staple foods and can be prepared by boiling, baking, or frying.
Examples
3 of 5I am peeling a potato to make some soup for dinner.
I am peeling a potato to make some soup for dinner.
The potato remains a primary agricultural export for the region.
The potato remains a primary agricultural export for the region.
Pass me the bag of potato chips, please.
Pass me the bag of potato chips, please.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Pot' because you usually cook a 'Potato' in a pot!
Quick Quiz
I would like a baked ___ with my steak.
Correct!
The correct answer is: potato
Examples
I am peeling a potato to make some soup for dinner.
everydayI am peeling a potato to make some soup for dinner.
The potato remains a primary agricultural export for the region.
formalThe potato remains a primary agricultural export for the region.
Pass me the bag of potato chips, please.
informalPass me the bag of potato chips, please.
Nutritional analysis shows that the potato is a significant source of starch and vitamin C.
academicNutritional analysis shows that the potato is a significant source of starch and vitamin C.
Our restaurant supply chain handles over ten tons of potatoes per week.
businessOur restaurant supply chain handles over ten tons of potatoes per week.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
couch potato
a person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television
hot potato
a controversial or difficult situation that no one wants to deal with
small potatoes
something that is insignificant or not important
Often Confused With
A tomato is a red fruit often used as a vegetable, while a potato is a brown root vegetable.
Usage Notes
The word is countable; use 'potato' for one and 'potatoes' for more than one. It can also be used as a noun adjunct, such as in 'potato soup'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to add 'e' when making the word plural; the correct spelling is 'potatoes', not 'potatos'.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Pot' because you usually cook a 'Potato' in a pot!
Word Origin
Derived from the Spanish 'patata', which comes from the Taino word 'batata'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The potato is a major staple food in many Western cultures, particularly in Ireland and Idaho in the United States.
Quick Quiz
I would like a baked ___ with my steak.
Correct!
The correct answer is: potato
More Food words
cookie
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1To 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
A1To 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
A1A 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
A1To take liquid into your mouth and swallow it. It is a basic human action used for hydration, nutrition, or social enjoyment.
milk
A1Milk 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
A1A 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
A1An 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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