fry

1 of 3

verb

ˈfrī 

fried; frying

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

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural fries

1

: a social gathering or picnic where food is fried and eaten

a fish fry

2

a

: 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

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural fry

1

a

: 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

Examples of fry in a Sentence

Verb

They fried some chicken for us.

We could smell the onions frying.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

When the oil is hot (a piece of chicken should begin to sizzle gently when placed in the pan), add the chicken and fry it for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces and the actual temperature of the oil. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025

For this Stockton, California, native, the Juneteenth menu often includes macaroni and cheese, gumbo, cornbread, greens, and fried chicken. —Danielle Broadway, Parents, 18 June 2025

Noun

Taco Express, 181 Iron Point Road in Folsom, stands out immediately with its bright orange exterior and large photos showcasing tacos, burritos, and carne asada fries. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025

During interviews, the daughters admitted some of the scenes were fictionalized, such as a hospital room moment after Cline’s June 1961 near-fatal car crash, when she is shown convincing Loretta to sneak her out of the hospital to a nearby diner for a cheeseburger and fries. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing fry

• deep-fry
• fish fry
• fish to fry
• french fry
• fry bread
• fry-up
• Hangtown fry
• pan fry
• small fry
• stir-fry

Rhymes for fry

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Kids Definition

fry

1 of 3 verb

ˈfrī 

fried; frying

: to cook in fat or oil

fry

2 of 3 noun

plural fries

1

: something fried

especially : french fry entry 1

—usually used in plural

steak and fries

2

: a get-together where fried food is eaten

a fish fry

fry

3 of 3 noun

plural fry

1

a

: recently hatched or young fish

b

: the young of animals other than fish

2

: very small adult fish

3

: members of a group or class : individuals

small fry

Etymology

Verb

Middle English frien "to fry," from early French frire (same meaning), from Latin frigere "to roast"

Noun

Middle English fry "recently hatched fish," from early French frie (same meaning), from freier, frier "to rub, spawn"

Biographical Definition

Fry

biographical name

ˈfrī 

Christopher 1907–2005 English dramatist