Definition

To soak food in a mixture of liquid and spices to enhance its flavor before cooking.

Example

The chicken will marinate in the sauce for a few hours before grilling.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Are you going to let those chicken wings marinate for a while?

Definitely, it makes them taste so much better.

I love how the flavors really come out when they marinate.

Exactly! I can't wait to try them later.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To soak food, especially meat, in a flavored liquid to make it more tasty before cooking.

Example

I like to marinate the chicken in lemon juice and herbs for a few hours before grilling it.

Tense Forms

Conversation

What do you usually do to make your chicken taste better?

I like to marinate it in some spices and herbs overnight.

That sounds great! What do you use for your marinate?

Root Explanation

**Marinate** → It is formed from "marin" (from Latin *marinus*, meaning of the sea) and the suffix "-ate" (indicating to cause or to make). The word "marinate" means to cause food to be flavored or preserved in a mixture, often involving a liquid that is related to the sea, such as saltwater or vinegar.

Memory Tip

Think of 'marine' which relates to the sea, and remember that to 'marinate' means to soak food in a flavorful liquid, often reminiscent of sea flavors.

Visually Confused Words