shish kebab: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, culinary
Quick answer
What does “shish kebab” mean?
A dish of pieces of marinated meat and vegetables cooked on a skewer or spit, usually over an open flame.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dish of pieces of marinated meat and vegetables cooked on a skewer or spit, usually over an open flame.
Any food, or sometimes non-food items, arranged on a skewer or stick in a manner reminiscent of the original dish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling variations exist: 'shish kebab' (more common in UK and general use), 'shish kabob' (a common American variant). 'Shish kebab' is understood in both, but UK usage may be slightly more common.
Connotations
In the US, the term often specifically implies Middle Eastern or Mediterranean cuisine. In the UK, it may be more generically associated with street food or barbecues, though the ethnic origin is still widely recognized.
Frequency
More frequent in spoken language and menus than in formal writing. The frequency is similar in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “shish kebab” in a Sentence
to grill a shish kebabto serve shish kebab with riceto order a chicken shish kebaba skewer of shish kebabsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shish kebab” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We're going to shish kebab these peppers and halloumi for the barbecue.
American English
- Just shish kebab the shrimp and peaches before grilling.
adjective
British English
- They served a delicious shish-kebab platter with various dips.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the restaurant, catering, or food import/export industries.
Academic
Rare, except in culinary history, anthropology, or cultural studies discussing food traditions.
Everyday
Common in contexts of dining, cooking, barbecues, and describing food.
Technical
Used in culinary arts to describe a specific preparation and cooking technique.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shish kebab”
- Misspelling as 'sheesh kabob', 'shish kabab'. Using it as a mass noun only (it can be countable: 'two shish kebabs'). Confusing it with 'doner kebab' (sliced meat in bread).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Kebab' is a general term for various grilled meat dishes. 'Shish kebab' is a specific type where marinated meat and vegetables are skewered and grilled.
Yes, informally. To 'shish kebab' something means to skewer and grill it in that style (e.g., 'Let's shish kebab these vegetables').
They are very similar. 'Shish kebab' is of Turkish origin, while 'souvlaki' is Greek. The marinades and typical accompaniments differ slightly.
'Shish kebab' is the most common and standard spelling. 'Shish kabob' is a frequent American variant. Both are widely understood.
A dish of pieces of marinated meat and vegetables cooked on a skewer or spit, usually over an open flame.
Shish kebab is usually informal, culinary in register.
Shish kebab: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɪʃ kɪˈbæb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɪʃ kəˈbɑːb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like a human shish kebab (humorous metaphor for being impaled or having many things stuck into one)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SHISH sounds like 'skewer' with a 'shh', and KEBAB is the meat. 'Shish-kebab' = Skewer the kabob.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS ARRANGEMENT ON A SKEWER (e.g., 'The data was shish-kebabbed onto a single timeline').
Practice
Quiz
What is the key characteristic of a shish kebab?