A2noun1K

Plate

UK /["/pleɪt/"]/US /["/pleɪt/"]/

Definition

a flat, usually round, dish that you put food on

In simple words: A flat dish used for serving or eating food.

Examples

  • She broke the plate while washing the dishes.
  • The teacher wrote the student's name on a plate for the award.
  • We shared a plate of pasta at the restaurant.
  • Behind the plate, there was a beautiful painting.
  • It’s fun to decorate paper plates for a party.
  • The Earth’s tectonic plate movements can cause earthquakes.
  • Each plate in our solar system revolves around the sun.

Usage notes

Commonly used in both casual and formal settings. Avoid using in contexts about technology, like 'plate' referring to a software or plate in a metaphorical sense.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'plate' as a 'flat' surface where food 'plait' (braid) together.

Collocations

  • dessert
  • dinner
  • serving
  • clear
  • empty
  • clear
  • on a/​the plate
  • plate of
  • dessert
  • dinner
  • serving
  • clear
  • empty
  • clear
  • on a/​the plate
  • plate of
  • licence/​license
  • number
  • name
  • licence/​license
  • number
  • name

Synonyms

  • dish
  • platter
  • bowl
  • tray
  • container

Antonyms

  • bowl
  • cup

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'plating', which refers to arranging food on a plate.
  • Using 'plates' when referring to individual pieces instead of as a collective.
  • Mixing up 'plate' with 'disk' in context.