Definition

To cook food for a shorter time than necessary, so that it is not fully cooked.

Example

If you undercook the chicken, it can be unsafe to eat.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I think I might have undercooked the chicken a bit.

Oh no, is it still pink inside?

Yeah, I guess I was just too eager to eat it.

Next time, maybe use a thermometer to check the temperature.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Undercook is formed from "under-" (meaning below or insufficiently) and "cook" (from Old English "coc", meaning to prepare food). The word refers to cooking food insufficiently or not fully cooking it.

Memory Tip

Think of cooking something 'insufficiently' ('under-') — that's why undercook means to not cook food enough.

Visually Confused Words