short ribs: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
IntermediateCulinary, informal, menu/restaurant context.
Quick answer
What does “short ribs” mean?
A cut of beef or other meat taken from the rib section, specifically the lower, thicker ends of the ribs, known for being flavorful but requiring long, slow cooking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cut of beef or other meat taken from the rib section, specifically the lower, thicker ends of the ribs, known for being flavorful but requiring long, slow cooking.
A culinary dish or menu item featuring this cut of meat, typically braised, barbecued, or slow-roasted until tender. Can also refer by metonymy to the cooking style or a hearty meal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American culinary terminology. In the UK, 'ribs' or 'beef ribs' might be used generically, but 'short ribs' is understood, especially in modern food culture. 'Jacob's Ladder' is a rare British butcher's term for the same cut.
Connotations
In the US, strongly associated with barbecue, braising, and rustic, hearty dishes. In the UK, may carry connotations of an American-style dish or modern gastropub fare.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in culinary, restaurant, and food media contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “short ribs” in a Sentence
[Verb] + short ribs (e.g., braise, order, serve)short ribs + [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., short ribs with polenta)[Adjective] + short ribs (e.g., Korean, beef, boneless)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “short ribs” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- "We'll short-rib it," the chef said, meaning to cook it like short ribs. (Highly informal/neologism)
American English
- The recipe says to braise it, but I think I'll just short rib it in the slow cooker. (Informal/neologism)
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The gastropub offered a short-rib pie, a hearty twist on a classic.
American English
- The short-rib tacos were the hit of the food truck festival.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in restaurant, catering, or food supply business discussions (e.g., 'Cost of short ribs has risen.').
Academic
Rare, potentially in culinary arts, food science, or historical/cultural studies of cuisine.
Everyday
Common in contexts of dining out, discussing recipes, or meal planning (e.g., 'I'm making short ribs for Sunday dinner.').
Technical
Used in butchery, professional cooking, and menu engineering to specify the cut.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “short ribs”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “short ribs”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “short ribs”
- Using singular 'short rib' (rare but possible for one piece).
- Confusing with 'spare ribs' (which are pork and cut differently).
- Misspelling as 'shortribs' (often accepted but traditionally two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Short ribs are primarily a beef cut, known for being meaty and requiring slow cooking. Spare ribs are a pork cut, typically grilled or roasted, and are associated with barbecue.
The name refers to the cut's origin from the shorter, thicker section of the rib cage (ribs 6-12), not to the length of the finished dish or serving.
It is not recommended. The meat is rich in connective tissue and fat, which makes it tough if cooked quickly. Slow, moist cooking methods like braising are essential to break down the tissue and make it tender.
English-cut ribs are sliced parallel to the bone, resulting in a thick piece of meat on a single bone. Flanken-cut (common in Korean galbi) are sliced across the bones, creating thin strips with several small bone pieces.
A cut of beef or other meat taken from the rib section, specifically the lower, thicker ends of the ribs, known for being flavorful but requiring long, slow cooking.
Short ribs is usually culinary, informal, menu/restaurant context. in register.
Short ribs: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɔːt ˌrɪbz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɔːrt ˌrɪbz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No direct idioms; the term is literal]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'short' not as small, but as the *cut* from the shorter, thicker end of the rib cage, ideal for long, 'short'ening (tenderizing) cooking.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS HEARTY, SLOW-COOKED FOOD (e.g., 'short ribs are the ultimate comfort food').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of 'short ribs'?