barbecue
gb/bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu/ us/bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu/
A2
English
grillparti, grillezés, BBQ-zás, BBQ, grillétel, grill, BBQ-szósz, grillez, BBQ-zik, megsül, leég, kifaggat, kérdésekkel bombáz, BBQ-s
NOUN
A2
1
grillparti
B1
Usage pattern:
have a barbecue (at [place])
We’re having a barbecue in the backyard on Saturday.
Szombaton grillpartit tartunk a hátsó kertben.
They invited the neighbors over for a barbecue after the game.
A meccs után áthívták a szomszédokat egy grillpartira.
The park is busy every weekend with families having barbecues.
Learner examples
We had a barbecue yesterday.
Tegnap grillpartit tartottunk.
Let’s have a barbecue this weekend.
Tartsunk grillpartit a hétvégén.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *barbecue* only for the grill; it can also mean the whole event.
Meaning
outdoor cookout with grilled food
Collocations
have a barbecue
|a backyard barbecue
|a family barbecue
|a summer barbecue
|a barbecue party
|invite people to a barbecue
|go to a barbecue
|barbecue at the beach
|barbecue on the weekend
|barbecue with friends
Synonyms
cookout (Common in US English for an outdoor meal/event.)
|
BBQ (Very common informal abbreviation.)
Themes
food
|daily_life
|social_life
Definition
a party outside where people cook and eat food
An informal outdoor gathering where food is cooked and eaten, typically grilled over a fire or on a grill.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] cooked over a barbecue
Barbecue is one of the most popular ways to cook outdoors in summer.
Nyáron a grillezés az egyik legnépszerűbb módja a szabadtéri sütésnek.
He learned barbecue techniques for slow-cooking brisket.
BBQ-technikákat tanult a marhaszegy lassú sütéséhez.
The recipe is designed for barbecue, not for a frying pan.
Learner examples
Barbecue is a way to cook food outside.
A grillezés egy módja annak, hogy kint készítsük el az ételt.
Common mistake:
In American English, *barbecue* often suggests slow-smoked meat, while in British English it often means grilling outdoors.
Meaning
cooking over fire or smoke
Collocations
barbecue cooking
|barbecue over charcoal
|barbecue over wood
|barbecue smoke
|barbecue technique
|barbecue low and slow
|traditional barbecue
|barbecue the meat
|barbecue temperature
|barbecue pit cooking
Synonyms
grilling (Often faster and over direct heat; overlaps in everyday use.)
|
smoking (Focuses on cooking with smoke, often slowly.)
Themes
food
|cooking
Definition
cooking food outside over fire or hot coals
A way of cooking food over heat outdoors, usually on a grill, often using charcoal or wood; in some styles it involves slow cooking with smoke.
NOUN
A2
3
Usage pattern:
eat (some) barbecue
We picked up barbecue for dinner on the way home.
Hazafelé vettünk BBQ-t vacsorára.
This place serves excellent barbecue and homemade slaw.
Itt kiváló BBQ-t és házi káposztasalátát kínálnak.
She ordered barbecue ribs with cornbread.
Learner examples
I like barbecue chicken.
Szeretem a BBQ-csirkét.
We ate barbecue for lunch.
BBQ-t ettünk ebédre.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse *barbecue* (food) with *a barbecue* (the event) or *a barbecue* (the grill).
Meaning
food cooked on a barbecue
Collocations
eat barbecue
|barbecue ribs
|barbecue chicken
|barbecue pork
|barbecue beef
|barbecue plate
|barbecue sandwich
|barbecue sides
|homemade barbecue
|leftover barbecue
Synonyms
BBQ (Common informal term for the food or meal.)
Themes
food
|cooking
Definition
meat or other food cooked on a barbecue
Food, especially meat, that is cooked in barbecue style, or a meal consisting of such food.
NOUN
A2
4
grill
A2
Usage pattern:
light/clean/use the barbecue
Can you clean the barbecue before we start cooking?
Meg tudod tisztítani a grillt, mielőtt elkezdünk sütni?
They bought a new gas barbecue for the patio.
Vettek egy új gázgrillt a teraszra.
He covered the barbecue to protect it from the rain.
Learner examples
The barbecue is in the garden.
A grill a kertben van.
Common mistake:
In some varieties of English, *barbecue* and *grill* are used differently; in everyday speech they can overlap.
Meaning
grill used for outdoor cooking
Collocations
light the barbecue
|clean the barbecue
|use the barbecue
|a gas barbecue
|a charcoal barbecue
|barbecue lid
|barbecue tongs
|barbecue coals
|barbecue grate
|portable barbecue
Synonyms
grill (More general term; *barbecue* often implies outdoor use.)
Themes
food
|home
|tools
Definition
a machine for cooking outside, like a grill
A metal grill or similar device used for cooking food outdoors over charcoal, gas, or wood.
NOUN
B1
5
BBQ-szósz
B1
Usage pattern:
barbecue (sauce) on [something] / pass the barbecue
Do you want barbecue on your burger?
Kérsz BBQ-szószt a burgeredbe?
She brushed the chicken with barbecue sauce before serving.
Tálalás előtt BBQ-szósszal kente meg a csirkét.
Pass the barbecue, please—I want more on my fries.
Learner examples
I like barbecue sauce.
Szeretem a BBQ-szószt.
Common mistake:
In informal speech, *barbecue* alone can mean *barbecue sauce* (e.g., “Pass the barbecue”).
Meaning
sweet, smoky condiment for meat
Collocations
barbecue sauce
|barbecue glaze
|barbecue marinade
|spicy barbecue
|sweet barbecue
|smoky barbecue
|dip in barbecue
|brush on barbecue
|barbecue for wings
|homemade barbecue sauce
Synonyms
BBQ sauce (Common abbreviation.)
Themes
food
|cooking
Definition
a sauce used on grilled meat
A seasoned sauce, often sweet and smoky, served with grilled or roasted meat.
VERB
B1
6
Usage pattern:
barbecue [food]
We barbecued some burgers and corn for dinner.
Vacsorára hamburgereket és kukoricát grilleztünk.
He’s planning to barbecue ribs all day on Sunday.
Vasárnap egész nap oldalast fog BBQ-zni.
It rained, so we couldn’t barbecue outside.
Learner examples
We barbecued chicken.
Csirkét grilleztünk.
I will barbecue tonight.
Ma este grillezni fogok.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *do a barbecue* when *barbecue (something)* or *have a barbecue* is more natural.
Meaning
cook food on a barbecue
Collocations
barbecue chicken
|barbecue burgers
|barbecue sausages
|barbecue steaks
|barbecue outside
|barbecue on the patio
|barbecue for friends
|barbecue over charcoal
|barbecue the meat
|barbecue all afternoon
Synonyms
grill (More general; not always outdoors.)
|
cook out (Focuses on cooking outdoors as an activity.)
Themes
food
|cooking
|daily_life
Definition
to cook food outside on a grill
To cook food outdoors on a grill or over a fire, often with smoke or charcoal.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
7
Usage pattern:
barbecue (in the sun) / get barbecued
We were barbecuing in the sun with no shade at all.
Árnyék nélkül valósággal megsültünk a napon.
I forgot sunscreen and got absolutely barbecued.
Elfelejtettem naptejet kenni, és teljesen leégtem.
The car was like an oven—we felt barbecued inside.
Learner examples
I got barbecued in the sun.
Teljesen leégtem a napon.
Common mistake:
This sense is figurative and informal; it doesn’t mean cooking food.
Meaning
burn or overheat from strong heat
Collocations
get barbecued
|barbecue in the sun
|barbecue on the beach
|barbecue in the heat
|barbecue under the sun
|feel barbecued
Synonyms
bake (Common informal verb for being in strong heat.)
|
scorch (Stronger; emphasizes burning.)
Antonyms
cool (Opposite effect: becoming less hot.)
Themes
weather
|health
|daily_life
Definition
to get very hot or burned by heat
To become very hot or to be burned by strong heat, especially from the sun or from being too close to a heat source.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
8
kifaggat
B2
Usage pattern:
barbecue [someone] (about [something])
My parents barbecued me about where I’d been all night.
A szüleim kifaggattak arról, hol voltam egész éjjel.
Reporters barbecued the coach after the loss.
Az újságírók a vereség után kérdésekkel bombázták az edzőt.
In the interview, they really barbecued her about the gap in her CV.
Learner examples
They barbecued him with questions.
Kérdésekkel bombázták őt.
Common mistake:
This is informal and figurative; it’s not used for polite questioning.
Meaning
question someone very aggressively
Collocations
barbecue someone with questions
|barbecue someone about their plans
|barbecue a witness
|barbecue the candidate
|barbecue the suspect
Synonyms
grill (Very common informal synonym for intense questioning.)
|
interrogate (More formal; often used in police contexts.)
Antonyms
reassure (Not questioning; making someone feel comfortable.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|work
Definition
to ask someone many strong questions
To question someone intensely and persistently, often in a way that feels uncomfortable.
B1
9
BBQ-s
B1
Usage pattern:
barbecue [noun]
I bought barbecue chips and salsa for the trip.
BBQ-s csipszet és salsát vettem az útra.
They served barbecue wings as a starter.
Előételként BBQ-s csirkeszárnyakat tálaltak.
This barbecue seasoning is too sweet for me.
Learner examples
I want barbecue chips.
BBQ-s csipszet szeretnék.
Common mistake:
In this use, *barbecue* describes a flavor (e.g., barbecue chips), not the cooking event.
Meaning
with barbecue flavor or style
Collocations
barbecue sauce
|barbecue flavor
|barbecue chips
|barbecue wings
|barbecue seasoning
|barbecue marinade
|barbecue rub
|barbecue chicken
|barbecue beans
|barbecue snacks
Synonyms
BBQ (Common on packaging and menus (e.g., BBQ wings).)
Themes
food
Definition
tasting like barbecue sauce or seasoning
Having the taste, seasoning, or style associated with barbecue, especially a smoky or sweet sauce flavor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
barbecue
IPA
GB/bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu/
US/bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu/
Syllables & stress
bar - be - cue (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (bar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: barbecue
- Plural: barbecue, barbecues
Verb
- Base: barbecue
- 3rd Person Singular: barbecues
- Present Participle: barbecuing
- Past: barbecued
Word family
Forms
barbecues
noun
barbecuing
verb
barbecued
verb
Core family
bbq
noun
Related words
barbecuer
noun
grill
noun B1
Expressions
barbecue chicken
1/bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu t͡ʃˈɪkən/
fixed phrase
chicken cooked with barbecue flavor
chicken cooked with barbecue sauce or flavor
Examples
- She made barbecue chicken in the oven because it was raining.
- Barbecue chicken is a popular choice for summer meals.
- We grilled barbecue chicken and vegetables for dinner.
Learner examples
- We ate barbecue chicken.
barbecue joint
1/bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu d͡ʒˈɔɪnt/
fixed phrase
informal
casual barbecue restaurant
a casual restaurant that sells barbecue
Examples
- We stopped at a barbecue joint on the highway.
- That barbecue joint is famous for its brisket.
- He knows all the best barbecue joints in town.
Learner examples
- Let’s eat at a barbecue joint.
barbecue pit
1/bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu pˈɪt/
fixed phrase
place or container for barbecuing
a place or container where you barbecue food
Examples
- He built a barbecue pit behind the house.
- The meat cooked slowly overnight in a barbecue pit.
- Some parks have a barbecue pit you can use.
Learner examples
- They cooked the meat in a barbecue pit.
barbecue ribs
1/bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu ɹˈɪbz/
fixed phrase
ribs cooked with barbecue sauce
ribs cooked with barbecue flavor
Examples
- He ordered barbecue ribs with fries.
- The barbecue ribs were so tender they fell off the bone.
- They’re making barbecue ribs for the cookout.
Learner examples
- I want barbecue ribs.
have a barbecue
1/hˈæv ə bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu/
fixed phrase
hold an outdoor barbecue event
to have an outdoor party with grilled food
Examples
- We’re going to have a barbecue if the weather stays nice.
- They had a barbecue to celebrate her birthday.
- Let’s have a barbecue at the park this weekend.
Learner examples
- We will have a barbecue on Sunday.
korean barbecue
1/kɔɹˈiən bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu/
fixed phrase
Korean-style table grilling meal
a meal where you grill meat at the table (Korean style)
Examples
- We went out for Korean barbecue after work.
- Korean barbecue restaurants usually bring lots of small side dishes.
- I love Korean barbecue because you cook the meat yourself at the table.
Learner examples
- We ate Korean barbecue.