regulo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, chiefly British domestic/cooking
Quick answer
What does “regulo” mean?
A numbered temperature setting on a gas oven, typically in British usage, where each number corresponds to a specific temperature in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A numbered temperature setting on a gas oven, typically in British usage, where each number corresponds to a specific temperature in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.
A proprietary term (Regulo) that became genericized in British English to refer to the numbered heat settings on gas ovens, often used in cooking instructions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively British. American English uses 'gas mark' rarely; more commonly, temperatures are given in degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., '350°F').
Connotations
In the UK, it has a domestic, traditional, sometimes old-fashioned connotation. In the US, it is largely unknown and would be confusing.
Frequency
Very frequent in older UK cookbooks and among older speakers; declining in frequency among younger UK speakers. Extremely rare to non-existent in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “regulo” in a Sentence
Set the oven to [regulo + NUMBER]Bake at [regulo + NUMBER] for [TIME]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “regulo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You need to regulo the oven to 4 for a moderate heat.
American English
- (Not used as a verb in AmE)
adverb
British English
- (Not typically used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- The regulo dial was stuck on high.
American English
- (Not used as an adjective in AmE)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used, except perhaps in historical or linguistic studies of genericization.
Everyday
Used in domestic cooking contexts, primarily in the UK, especially among older demographics.
Technical
Not used in formal technical contexts; engineers would refer to temperature in degrees.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “regulo”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “regulo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “regulo”
- Using 'regulo' in American English contexts.
- Assuming it is a standard international term.
- Writing it with a capital 'R' (Regulo) when not referring specifically to the trademark.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a standard unit. It is a numbered scale (Gas Mark) specific to gas ovens, originating from a trademark.
It is not recommended, as the term is largely unknown and will likely cause confusion. Use degrees Fahrenheit instead.
They are essentially synonyms in British English. 'Regulo' is the genericized trademark, while 'gas mark' is the more generic descriptive term.
You need a conversion chart. For example, Regulo/Gas Mark 4 is approximately 350°F or 180°C.
A numbered temperature setting on a gas oven, typically in British usage, where each number corresponds to a specific temperature in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Regulo is usually informal, chiefly british domestic/cooking in register.
Regulo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛɡjʊləʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛɡjəloʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Set it and forget it (by regulo)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'REGULating the Oven' – REGULO.
Conceptual Metaphor
NUMBERS ARE TEMPERATURES (A specific numbered setting maps to a specific heat level).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the word 'regulo' primarily used?