an open, relatively shallow container of pottery, glass, metal, wood, etc., used for various purposes, especially for holding or serving food.
any container used at table: dirty dishes.
the food served or contained in a dish: The meal consisted of several dishes.
a particular article, type, or preparation of food: Rice is an inexpensive dish.
the quantity held by a dish; dishful: a dish of applesauce.
anything like a dish in form or use.
concavity or the degree of concavity, as of a wheel.
Also called dish antenna.a concave, dish-shaped reflector serving to focus electromagnetic energy as part of a transmitter or receiver of radio, television, or microwave signals.
Slang. an attractive person, especially a female: His wife is quite a dish.
Slang. an item of gossip.
verb (used with object)
to put into or serve in a dish, as food: to dish food onto plates.
to fashion like a dish; make concave.
Slang. to gossip about: They talked all night, dishing their former friends.
Slang. to defeat; frustrate; cheat.
verb (used without object)
Slang. to talk together informally, especially, to gossip.
Verb Phrases
dish out,Informal.
to serve (food) from a serving dish, pot, etc.
to deal out; distribute: She dished out our pay in silver dollars.
Idioms for dish
dish it out, Informal. to dispense abusive language, punishment, or praise, enthusiastic approval, etc.: When it comes to flattery, he can really dish it out.
Origin of dish
before 900; Middle English; Old English disc dish, plate, bowl (akin to German Tisch table) <Latin discus dish, discus