reis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral (used across all registers)
Quick answer
What does “reis” mean?
The small, hard grains of a type of grass plant, used as a staple food throughout much of the world.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The small, hard grains of a type of grass plant, used as a staple food throughout much of the world.
The grains themselves; the plant (Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima) that produces these grains; or a dish prepared from them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word is identical in core meaning. The primary difference lies in specific dish names and potential brand names.
Connotations
None specific to variety.
Frequency
Equally common and high-frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “reis” in a Sentence
to boil riceto cook riceto serve rice (with)to grow riceto harvest riceto eat riceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To make the sushi, you must rice the potatoes for the perfect texture.
American English
- For the casserole, rice the cauliflower as a low-carb substitute.
adverb
British English
- (Not standardly used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not standardly used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- We visited the rice fields in Cambodia.
American English
- She bought a rice cooker online.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
International trade in rice commodities.
Academic
Agricultural studies, economics of staple crops, nutritional science.
Everyday
Cooking, meal planning, discussing diets.
Technical
Agronomy, botany (Oryza sativa), culinary arts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reis”
- Using as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'I ate three rices').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily an uncountable mass noun (e.g., 'some rice'). It becomes countable only when referring to different types (e.g., 'the rices of India') or in very technical contexts.
Brown rice is a whole grain with the bran and germ layers intact, making it more fibrous and nutritious. White rice has these layers removed during milling, resulting in a longer shelf life and softer texture but fewer nutrients.
Yes, but it is a specialised culinary verb meaning to press cooked food (like potatoes or cauliflower) through a ricer, a tool that makes it into small, rice-like pieces.
No significant difference. Both varieties pronounce it /raɪs/. The potential trap is the homophone 'rise', which is pronounced identically.
The small, hard grains of a type of grass plant, used as a staple food throughout much of the world.
Reis is usually neutral (used across all registers) in register.
Reis: in British English it is pronounced /raɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /raɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like two grains of rice in a bowl (very similar).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the price of RICE – it's a basic food with a simple name that rhymes with 'price' and 'nice'.
Conceptual Metaphor
Rice is life (a fundamental sustainer); A grain of rice (something small but essential).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common mistake with the word 'rice'?