Talking about meals, ingredients, flavors, and cooking becomes much easier when you build a strong food-related vocabulary. GuruLango’s Spaced Repetition technique helps you remember these practical words naturally and retain them long term.
Below is a curated preview from GuruLango’s Food & Beverage in English vocabulary collection.
1. Food
These basic food words help you describe everyday eating situations clearly.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
food
|
fuːd
|
anything edible
|
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ingredient
|
ɪnˈɡriː.di.ənt
|
item used in cooking
|
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cuisine
|
kwɪˈziːn
|
style of cooking
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meal
|
miːl
|
eating occasion
|
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snack
|
snæk
|
small quick food
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dish
|
dɪʃ
|
prepared food
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menu
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ˈmen.juː
|
list of dishes
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leftovers
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ˈleftˌəʊ.vərz
|
uneaten food
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serving
|
ˈsɜː.vɪŋ
|
portion of food
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appetizer
|
ˈæp.ɪ.taɪ.zər
|
starter dish
|
2. Meal
These words help you talk naturally about different meals throughout the day.
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Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
breakfast
|
ˈbrek.fəst
|
morning meal
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lunch
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lʌntʃ
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midday meal
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dinner
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ˈdɪn.ər
|
evening meal
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brunch
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brʌntʃ
|
late breakfast
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supper
|
ˈsʌp.ər
|
light evening meal
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buffet
|
ˈbʊf.eɪ
|
self-serve meal
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feast
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fiːst
|
large celebration meal
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course
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kɔːs
|
part of a meal
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set menu
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set ˈmen.juː
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fixed-price meal
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tasting menu
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ˈteɪstɪŋ ˈmen.juː
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multiple small courses
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3. Meat
Learn essential meat vocabulary to discuss dishes, menus, or cooking choices.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
beef
|
biːf
|
meat from cow
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pork
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pɔːk
|
meat from pig
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chicken
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ˈtʃɪk.ɪn
|
poultry
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lamb
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læm
|
young sheep meat
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duck
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dʌk
|
duck meat
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turkey
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ˈtɜː.ki
|
turkey meat
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bacon
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ˈbeɪ.kən
|
cured pork
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sausage
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ˈsɔː.sɪdʒ
|
seasoned meat
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ham
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hæm
|
cooked pork
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steak
|
steɪk
|
thick meat cut
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4. Dairy Product
Use these words to describe popular dairy items in meals and desserts.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
milk
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mɪlk
|
dairy liquid
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cheese
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tʃiːz
|
solid dairy
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butter
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ˈbʌt.ər
|
dairy spread
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yogurt
|
ˈjəʊ.ɡət
|
fermented milk
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cream
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kriːm
|
rich milk
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ice cream
|
aɪs kriːm
|
frozen dairy
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cottage cheese
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ˈkɒt.ɪdʒ tʃiːz
|
curd cheese
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sour cream
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ˈsaʊər kriːm
|
tangy cream
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milkshake
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ˈmɪlk.ʃeɪk
|
sweet drink
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condensed milk
|
kənˈdenst mɪlk
|
sweetened thick milk
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5. Dishes
These common dish names help you order food or describe meals.
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Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
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salad
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ˈsæl.əd
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mixed vegetables
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soup
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suːp
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liquid dish
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pasta
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ˈpæs.tə
|
noodle dish
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sandwich
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ˈsænd.wɪtʃ
|
bread + filling
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pizza
|
ˈpiːt.sə
|
baked flatbread
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curry
|
ˈkʌr.i
|
spiced dish
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stew
|
stjuː
|
slow-cooked dish
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noodles
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ˈnuː.dəlz
|
long dough strips
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fried rice
|
fraɪd raɪs
|
stir-fried rice
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omelet
|
ˈɒm.lət
|
cooked eggs
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6. Seafood
These seafood terms help you identify popular ocean-based ingredients.
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Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
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fish
|
fɪʃ
|
aquatic animal
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shrimp
|
ʃrɪmp
|
small shellfish
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crab
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kræb
|
crustacean
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lobster
|
ˈlɒb.stər
|
large crustacean
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squid
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skwɪd
|
sea creature
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octopus
|
ˈɒk.tə.pəs
|
tentacled creature
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salmon
|
ˈsæm.ən
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pink fish
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tuna
|
ˈtuː.nə
|
firm fish
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mussel
|
ˈmʌs.əl
|
shellfish
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oyster
|
ˈɔɪ.stər
|
sea mollusk
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7. Fruit
These fruit names help you talk about snacks, juices, and healthy eating.
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Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
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apple
|
ˈæp.əl
|
round fruit
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banana
|
bəˈnɑː.nə
|
long yellow fruit
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orange
|
ˈɒr.ɪndʒ
|
citrus fruit
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mango
|
ˈmæŋ.ɡəʊ
|
tropical fruit
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grape
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ɡreɪp
|
small fruit
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pineapple
|
ˈpaɪnˌæp.əl
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tropical fruit
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strawberry
|
ˈstrɔː.bər.i
|
red berry
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watermelon
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ˈwɔː.təˌmel.ən
|
large juicy fruit
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kiwi
|
ˈkiː.wiː
|
small green fruit
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peach
|
piːtʃ
|
soft sweet fruit
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8. Vegetables
These vegetable names help you describe meals, groceries, and cooking.
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Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
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carrot
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ˈkær.ət
|
orange root
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potato
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pəˈteɪ.təʊ
|
starchy root
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tomato
|
təˈmɑː.təʊ
|
red vegetable
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onion
|
ˈʌn.jən
|
layered vegetable
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broccoli
|
ˈbrɒk.əl.i
|
green vegetable
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spinach
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ˈspɪn.ɪtʃ
|
leafy green
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cucumber
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ˈkjuː.kʌm.bər
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long green vegetable
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lettuce
|
ˈlet.ɪs
|
salad leaves
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corn
|
kɔːn
|
yellow kernels
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pepper
|
ˈpep.ər
|
spicy/sweet pod
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9. Dessert
Use these dessert words to talk about sweets, bakeries, and cravings.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
cake
|
keɪk
|
baked sweet
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cookie
|
ˈkʊk.i
|
small snack
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chocolate
|
ˈtʃɒk.lət
|
cocoa sweet
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pudding
|
ˈpʊd.ɪŋ
|
soft dessert
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pie
|
paɪ
|
baked pastry
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donut
|
ˈdəʊ.nʌt
|
fried sweet
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brownie
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ˈbraʊ.ni
|
chocolate bar
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ice cream
|
aɪs kriːm
|
frozen dessert
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tart
|
tɑːt
|
pastry with filling
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macarons
|
ˌmæk.əˈrɒnz
|
French sweet
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10. Taste & Flavor
These adjectives help you describe food flavor precisely and naturally.
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Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
sweet
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swiːt
|
sugary flavor
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salty
|
ˈsɒl.ti
|
with salt
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sour
|
saʊər
|
acidic taste
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bitter
|
ˈbɪt.ər
|
sharp taste
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spicy
|
ˈspaɪ.si
|
hot flavor
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savory
|
ˈseɪ.vər.i
|
rich taste
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bland
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blænd
|
lacking flavor
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tangy
|
ˈtæŋ.i
|
sharp-sour
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rich
|
rɪtʃ
|
deep flavor
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smoky
|
ˈsməʊ.ki
|
burnt aroma
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11. Texture
These texture words help you describe how food feels when eaten.
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Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
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crunchy
|
ˈkrʌn.tʃi
|
crisp texture
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crispy
|
ˈkrɪs.pi
|
fried crisp
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soft
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sɒft
|
tender texture
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creamy
|
ˈkriː.mi
|
smooth texture
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chewy
|
ˈtʃuː.i
|
requires chewing
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tender
|
ˈten.dər
|
easy to bite
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juicy
|
ˈdʒuː.si
|
full of juice
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sticky
|
ˈstɪk.i
|
adhesive texture
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oily
|
ˈɔɪ.li
|
greasy
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fluffy
|
ˈflʌf.i
|
airy texture
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12. Drinks
These drink names help you order beverages or talk about daily habits.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
water
|
ˈwɔː.tər
|
clear drink
|
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tea
|
tiː
|
brewed leaves
|
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coffee
|
ˈkɒf.i
|
brewed beans
|
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juice
|
dʒuːs
|
fruit drink
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soda
|
ˈsəʊ.də
|
carbonated drink
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milkshake
|
ˈmɪlk.ʃeɪk
|
dairy drink
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smoothie
|
ˈsmuː.ði
|
blended drink
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wine
|
waɪn
|
fermented grape drink
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beer
|
bɪər
|
alcoholic drink
|
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cocktail
|
ˈkɒk.teɪl
|
mixed drink
|
13. Spices & Condiments
These seasoning words are essential for describing cooking styles.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
salt
|
sɒlt
|
seasoning
|
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pepper
|
ˈpep.ər
|
spice
|
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soy sauce
|
sɔɪ sɔːs
|
salty sauce
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ketchup
|
ˈketʃ.əp
|
tomato sauce
|
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mustard
|
ˈmʌs.təd
|
yellow condiment
|
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chili powder
|
ˈtʃɪl.i ˌpaʊ.dər
|
spicy powder
|
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vinegar
|
ˈvɪn.ɪ.ɡər
|
sour liquid
|
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garlic powder
|
ˈɡɑː.lɪk ˌpaʊ.dər
|
garlic seasoning
|
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barbecue sauce
|
ˈbɑː.bɪ.kjuː sɔːs
|
sweet sauce
|
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mayonnaise
|
ˈmeɪ.ə.neɪz
|
creamy condiment
|
14. Herb & Aroma
These herbs add aroma and depth to dishes in many cuisines.
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Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
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basil
|
ˈbeɪ.zəl
|
aromatic herb
|
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mint
|
mɪnt
|
fresh herb
|
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parsley
|
ˈpɑː.sli
|
leafy herb
|
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cilantro
|
sɪˈlæn.trəʊ
|
coriander leaves
|
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rosemary
|
ˈrəʊz.mər.i
|
strong herb
|
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thyme
|
taɪm
|
fragrant herb
|
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dill
|
dɪl
|
herb with aroma
|
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lavender
|
ˈlæv.ən.dər
|
floral herb
|
|
lemongrass
|
ˈlem.ən.ɡrɑːs
|
citrus herb
|
|
ginger
|
ˈdʒɪn.dʒər
|
spicy root
|
15. Cooking Method
These terms let you describe how a dish is prepared.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
boil
|
bɔɪl
|
cook in water
|
|
fry
|
fraɪ
|
cook in oil
|
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grill
|
ɡrɪl
|
cook over heat
|
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steam
|
stiːm
|
cook with vapor
|
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roast
|
rəʊst
|
cook in oven
|
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bake
|
beɪk
|
cook with dry heat
|
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stir-fry
|
stɜː fraɪ
|
quick frying
|
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sauté
|
ˈsəʊ.teɪ
|
fry lightly
|
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simmer
|
ˈsɪm.ər
|
cook gently
|
|
marinate
|
ˈmær.ɪ.neɪt
|
soak in seasoning
|
16. Cooking Utensil
These utensils help describe actions and tools used in cooking.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
pan
|
pæn
|
shallow cooking tool
|
|
pot
|
pɒt
|
deep cooking tool
|
|
knife
|
naɪf
|
cutting tool
|
|
cutting board
|
ˈkʌt.ɪŋ bɔːd
|
board for chopping
|
|
spatula
|
ˈspætʃ.ʊ.lə
|
flipping tool
|
|
whisk
|
wɪsk
|
mixing tool
|
|
ladle
|
ˈleɪ.dəl
|
serving spoon
|
|
oven
|
ˈʌv.ən
|
baking appliance
|
|
tongs
|
tɒŋz
|
gripping tool
|
|
measuring cup
|
ˈmeʒ.ər.ɪŋ kʌp
|
volume tool
|
17. Nut
These nut names help you talk about snacks, baking, and ingredients.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
almond
|
ˈɑː.mənd
|
edible nut
|
|
cashew
|
ˈkæʃ.uː
|
kidney-shaped nut
|
|
peanut
|
ˈpiː.nʌt
|
groundnut
|
|
walnut
|
ˈwɔːl.nʌt
|
brain-shaped nut
|
|
pistachio
|
pɪˈstæʃ.i.əʊ
|
green nut
|
|
hazelnut
|
ˈheɪ.zəl.nʌt
|
round nut
|
|
pecan
|
pɪˈkæn
|
sweet nut
|
|
macadamia
|
ˌmæk.əˈdeɪ.mi.ə
|
buttery nut
|
|
chestnut
|
ˈtʃes.nʌt
|
roasted nut
|
|
brazil nut
|
brəˈzɪl nʌt
|
large nut
|
18. In the Restaurant
These restaurant words help you order food and understand menus easily.
|
Vocabulary
|
IPA
|
Meaning
|
|
waiter
|
ˈweɪ.tər
|
server (male)
|
|
waitress
|
ˈweɪ.trəs
|
server (female)
|
|
bill
|
bɪl
|
payment
|
|
tip
|
tɪp
|
extra money
|
|
reservation
|
ˌrez.əˈveɪ.ʃən
|
booking
|
|
menu
|
ˈmen.juː
|
list of dishes
|
|
order
|
ˈɔː.dər
|
request food
|
|
table
|
ˈteɪ.bəl
|
dining spot
|
|
cutlery
|
ˈkʌt.lər.i
|
eating tools
|
|
chef
|
ʃef
|
professional cook
|
These Food & Beverage vocabulary sets help you describe meals, cooking techniques, flavors, textures, and restaurant situations clearly in English. With GuruLango’s Spaced Repetition method, you can master these words more effectively and apply them naturally in everyday conversations.
Continue learning with GuruLango and talk about food confidently like a native speaker!