Definition

Not cooked enough; still raw or not fully prepared.

Example

The chicken was undercooked, so we had to put it back in the oven.

Conversation

Did you try the chicken at the party last night?

Yeah, I thought it was a bit undercooked for my taste.

I agree, I could tell it needed a bit more time on the grill.

Definitely! Next time, they should check it more carefully.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Undercooked is formed from "under-" (meaning beneath or insufficiently) and "cooked" (from Old English "cocian", meaning to prepare food by heating). The word describes food that has not been cooked enough, remaining insufficiently prepared.

Memory Tip

Think of food that is 'beneath' the proper cooking level — 'under-' means insufficient, and 'cooked' refers to the preparation of food.

Visually Confused Words