SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

fry

verb
Save Word
\ ˈfrī How to pronounce fry (audio) \
fried; frying

Definition of fry

 (Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to cook in a pan or on a griddle over heat especially with the use of fat
2 slang : electrocute sense 2
3 : to damage or destroy (an electrical device or its circuitry) by overheating especially as a result of unusually high voltage

intransitive verb

1 : to undergo frying
2 : to get very hot or burn as if being fried bodies frying on the beach

fry

noun (1)
plural fries

Definition of fry (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a social gathering or picnic where food is fried and eaten a fish fry
2a : a dish of something fried
b : french fry —usually plural a burger and fries
c : a vegetable prepared in the style of a french fry —usually plural carrot fries

fry

noun (2)
plural fry

Definition of fry (Entry 3 of 3)

1a : recently hatched or juvenile fishes
b : the young of other animals
2 : very small adult fishes
3 : members of a group or class : individuals small fry
More Example Sentences Phrases Containing fry Learn More About fry

Examples of fry in a Sentence

Verb They fried some chicken for us. We could smell the onions frying.

First Known Use of fry

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for fry

Verb

Middle English frien, from Anglo-French frire, from Latin frigere to roast; akin to Greek phrygein to roast, fry, Sanskrit bhṛjjati he roasts

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French frie, from freier, frier to rub, spawn — more at fray entry 2

Buying Guide

Our Reviews team has selected the best air fryers.

Learn More About fry

Time Traveler for fry

Time Traveler

The first known use of fry was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries Near fry

frwy

fry

Fry

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for fry

Cite this Entry

“Fry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fry. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

More Definitions for fry

fry

verb
\ ˈfrī How to pronounce fry (audio) \
fried; frying

Kids Definition of fry

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: to cook in fat

fry

noun
plural fries

Kids Definition of fry (Entry 2 of 3)

: french fry

fry

noun
plural fry

Kids Definition of fry (Entry 3 of 3)

: a recently hatched or very young fish —usually used in pl. The salmon fry were released into the river.

Fry biographical name

\ ˈfrī How to pronounce Fry (audio) \

Definition of Fry

Christopher 1907–2005 English dramatist

More from Merriam-Webster on fry

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fry

Nglish: Translation of fry for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fry for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

nonpareil

Listen to the pronunciation of nonpareil

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Name That Food

  • a-light
  • Name these cookies!
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games