kabob
Medium-lowInformal, culinary
Definition
Meaning
A dish consisting of small pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables roasted or grilled on a skewer or spit.
Can refer broadly to any food cooked in a similar kebab-style preparation; also used colloquially in the verb form meaning 'to skewer' or 'to pierce'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a culinary term; the spelling 'kabob' is strongly associated with American English, whereas 'kebab' is the standard form in British English and many other varieties. In North America, the word often specifically denotes skewered meat cooked over an open flame or grill.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Kabob' is an American English spelling variant of the British English 'kebab'. In the UK, 'kebab' often refers specifically to doner kebab (spit-roasted meat in flatbread), while in the US, 'kabob' typically refers to chunks of meat and vegetables grilled on skewers (shish kebab style).
Connotations
In the UK, 'kebab' can have a strong late-night/takeaway food association. In the US, 'kabob' often suggests a home-grilled, picnic, or Middle Eastern restaurant dish.
Frequency
The spelling 'kebab' is significantly more frequent globally. 'Kabob' is primarily used in North America but is less common than 'kebab' even there, except in certain culinary and menu contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to grill (a) kabobto skewer (a) kabobto marinate (a) kabobto serve (NP) kabobskabobs with (NP)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Everything but the kitchen sink (on that kabob!)”
- “To be on a skewer (figurative, meaning to be in trouble)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in restaurant, catering, and food industry contexts (e.g., 'Our summer menu features three new kabob options.').
Academic
Rare in academic texts except in culinary history, anthropology, or food studies.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about cooking, grilling, or dining out.
Technical
Used in culinary arts for specific preparation and cooking techniques.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Let's kebab these vegetables for the grill.
- He carefully kebabed the chunks of lamb.
American English
- I'm going to kabob the steak and peppers.
- She kabobbed the shrimp and pineapple for the barbecue.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- A kebab skewer
- A kebab restaurant
American English
- A kabob recipe
- A kabob night
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I ate a chicken kabob.
- She likes vegetable kabobs.
- We marinated the beef overnight before making kabobs.
- Could you pass me a kabob from the grill?
- The marinade is crucial for a flavourful and tender lamb kabob.
- They served an assortment of kabobs with rice and flatbread.
- His culinary technique elevated the humble kabob into a work of art, with perfectly caramelised exteriors and succulent interiors.
- The versatility of the kabob format allows for endless experimentation with global flavours and ingredients.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'KA-BOB' on the grill - the sound it might make sizzling ('ka' - sizzle, 'bob' - the meat bobbing on the skewer).
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS A CONSTRUCTION/PROJECT (e.g., 'building a kabob', 'assembling the perfect kabob').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'шашлык' (shashlik), which is a specific type of marinated meat kebab, often pork. 'Kabob'/'kebab' is a broader category. The Russian borrowing 'кебаб' is used but is less common than 'шашлык'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'kabab', 'kabob' in British contexts where 'kebab' is expected.
- Confusing 'kabob' (skewered) with 'doner kebab' (spit-roasted and sliced).
- Using as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'He kabobbed the meat' is very informal/non-standard).
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is most characteristic of American English menus?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Kabob' is primarily an American English spelling variant of 'kebab'. The meaning is essentially the same, though regional culinary traditions (e.g., doner kebab in the UK vs. shish kabob in the US) can influence what the word typically refers to.
Yes, informally, especially in American English (e.g., 'Kabob those vegetables'). The more standard verb phrasing is 'to skewer' or 'to put on a skewer'.
In American usage, often yes. 'Shish kabob' (from Turkish 'şiş kebap') is more specific, meaning 'skewer roast meat'. Many Americans use 'kabob' to mean specifically this shish-style dish.
Common meats include lamb, beef, chicken, and in seafood kabobs, shrimp or firm fish. Pork is less common in traditional Middle Eastern kabobs but appears in Western adaptations.