cookery book: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to slightly formal; common in everyday and domestic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “cookery book” mean?
A book containing recipes and instructions for preparing and cooking food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A book containing recipes and instructions for preparing and cooking food.
A reference manual or instructional guide for culinary techniques, often accompanied by illustrations or thematic organization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'cookery book' is standard. In American English, 'cookbook' is the overwhelmingly dominant term.
Connotations
'Cookery book' may sound slightly old-fashioned or specifically British to American ears. 'Cookbook' is neutral in both varieties but is the expected form in the US.
Frequency
'Cookbook' is significantly more frequent than 'cookery book' globally due to American English influence. 'Cookery book' remains common in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
Grammar
How to Use “cookery book” in a Sentence
[verb] + cookery book (e.g., consult a cookery book)[adjective] + cookery book (e.g., an old cookery book)cookery book + [prepositional phrase] (e.g., a cookery book for beginners)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cookery book” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to cookery book her grandmother's recipes. (Note: This is non-standard; 'compile a cookery book' is correct.)
American English
- They plan to cookbook the family's traditional dishes. (Note: This is non-standard; 'write a cookbook' is correct.)
adjective
British English
- The cookery-book style was very clear. (Hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- She has a cookbook-worthy recipe. (Hyphenated attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in publishing, retail (e.g., 'The new celebrity cookery book is a bestseller.').
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or gender studies (e.g., 'Victorian cookery books reflect social norms.').
Everyday
Common in domestic and hobbyist contexts (e.g., 'I got a new cookery book for my birthday.').
Technical
Used in culinary arts education and professional cooking contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cookery book”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cookery book”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cookery book”
- Spelling: 'cookary book', 'cookbook' (in a UK context where 'cookery book' is expected). Confusing it with 'cooking book' (non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in meaning. 'Cookery book' is the British English term, and 'cookbook' is the American English term. 'Cookbook' is also widely understood and used in the UK.
No, 'cooking book' is not a standard collocation in English. Use 'cookery book' (UK) or 'cookbook' (US/international).
Its primary purpose is to provide a collected set of recipes and often instructions on cooking techniques, ingredients, and meal planning.
In British English, it remains current, though 'cookbook' is gaining ground due to global media. In American English, 'cookery book' sounds distinctly British and is rarely used.
A book containing recipes and instructions for preparing and cooking food.
Cookery book is usually neutral to slightly formal; common in everyday and domestic contexts. in register.
Cookery book: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʊkəri bʊk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʊkəri bʊk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As useful as a chocolate teapot (for a bad cookery book)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A book for COOKERY (the art of cooking). It's where cookery lives in book form.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A CONTAINER (The book contains culinary knowledge). A GUIDE (The book guides you through the cooking process).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key difference between UK and US usage of 'cookery book'?