dishwasher
gb/dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ/ us/dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
machine for washing dishes
a machine that washes dishes for you
Usage pattern:
put [something] in the dishwasher; run the dishwasher
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse dishwasher (machine) with dish soap; soap is the liquid, the dishwasher is the machine.
Synonyms
dishwashing machine (More formal and less common than dishwasher.)
Antonyms
hand-washing (Washing dishes by hand instead of using a machine.)
Collocations
load the dishwasher
|unload the dishwasher
|run the dishwasher
|empty the dishwasher
|a built-in dishwasher
|a portable dishwasher
|a dishwasher cycle
|dishwasher detergent
|dishwasher rack
|dishwasher-safe
Themes
home
|daily_life
|kitchen
|appliances
Examples
- I’ll load the dishwasher after dinner.
- Our dishwasher broke, so we have to wash everything by hand.
- Make sure the cups are facing down in the dishwasher.
Learner examples
- The dishwasher is in the kitchen.
- I put the plates in the dishwasher.
Noun
B1
role
2
person who washes dishes
a person who washes dishes as a job
Usage pattern:
work as a dishwasher; hire [someone] as a dishwasher
Common mistake:
In a restaurant context, dishwasher usually means a person, not the machine; the meaning depends on context.
Synonyms
kitchen porter (Common in British English; can include other kitchen support tasks besides washing dishes.)
Collocations
work as a dishwasher
|a restaurant dishwasher
|a part-time dishwasher
|hire a dishwasher
|a dishwasher shift
|dishwasher duties
|the dishwasher station
|a dishwasher job
|a busy dishwasher
|dishwasher position
Themes
work
|jobs
|food_service
Examples
- He got a job as a dishwasher at a downtown café.
- The restaurant needs an extra dishwasher on weekends.
- As the dishwasher, she cleaned plates and helped keep the kitchen tidy.
Learner examples
- My brother works as a dishwasher.
- They hired a dishwasher for the evening shift.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dishwasher
IPA
GB/dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ/
US/dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ/
Syllables & stress
dish - wash - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dish)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dishwasher
- Plural: dishwashers
Word family
Expressions
dishwasher detergent
1/dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ dɪtˈɚd͡ʒənt/
fixed phrase
soap for a dishwasher
soap for a dishwasher machine
Examples
- We’re out of dishwasher detergent, so I’ll pick some up today.
- Use only a small amount of dishwasher detergent on the eco setting.
- These tablets are a type of dishwasher detergent.
dishwasher-safe
1/dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ sˈeɪf/
fixed phrase
safe to wash in dishwasher
you can wash it in a dishwasher
Examples
- Is this plastic container dishwasher-safe?
- The label says the lid is top-rack dishwasher-safe only.
- Most of these glasses are dishwasher-safe, but I hand-wash the delicate ones.
load the dishwasher
1/lˈoʊd ðə dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ/
fixed phrase
put dirty dishes into machine
put dishes in the dishwasher
Examples
- Can you load the dishwasher while I clear the table?
- She loaded the dishwasher with plates, bowls, and cutlery.
- Don’t overload it when you load the dishwasher.
put [something] in the dishwasher
1/pˈʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɪn ðə dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ/
fixed phrase
place item for machine washing
put it into the dishwasher to wash it
Examples
- Please don’t put the wooden spoon in the dishwasher.
- I put the mugs in the dishwasher and washed the pan by hand.
- Can I put this baking tray in the dishwasher?
run the dishwasher
1/ɹˈʌn ðə dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ/
fixed phrase
start a dishwasher cycle
turn on the dishwasher to wash dishes
Examples
- We usually run the dishwasher at night to save energy.
- Don’t run the dishwasher until it’s full.
- I ran the dishwasher on the quick cycle.
unload the dishwasher
1/ʌnlˈoʊd ðə dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ/
fixed phrase
take clean dishes out of dishwasher
To take all the clean dishes out of the dishwasher and put them in the right place.
Examples
- Can you unload the dishwasher before you go to bed?
- It’s your turn to unload the dishwasher tonight.
- She unloaded the dishwasher while the kids set the table.
unload the dishwasher
1/ʌnlˈoʊd ðə dˈɪʃwˌɑʃɚ/
fixed phrase
take clean dishes out
take dishes out of the dishwasher
Examples
- I unloaded the dishwasher and put everything away.
- Could you unload the dishwasher before you leave?
- We take turns unloading the dishwasher each morning.