barbie

barbie — noun

1. an outdoor cooker with metal bars, used to grill food over strong heat or flames

1.nounB2
Definition

an outdoor cooker with metal bars, used to grill food over strong heat or flames

Example

Dad cleaned the barbie before the neighbors came for dinner.

clean the barbie

Two fish were already cooking on the barbie by the pool.

cook on the barbie

Common collocations
  • clean the barbie
  • light the barbie
  • cook on the barbie
  • hot barbie
  • brick barbie
Synonyms
  • barbecue

    the full form and the standard word in wider English

  • grill

    a broader word that can also refer to indoor cooking equipment

  • barbecue grill

    more explicit when you need to stress the piece of equipment

Grammar Patterns

cook on the barbie

light the barbie

clean the barbie

Usage Note

Often used after on when talking about food being cooked. Distinguish it from noun/2, which names the social event rather than the equipment.

Common Mistakes

We cooked the burgers in the barbie.
We cooked the burgers on the barbie.
food is cooked on top of the grill, not inside it.

2. a casual gathering outside where people grill food and eat together

2.nounB2
Definition

a casual gathering outside where people grill food and eat together

Example

We're having a barbie in the park after the soccer game.

have a barbie

Nina brought salad and bread to Tom's weekend barbie.

weekend barbie

Common collocations
  • have a barbie
  • weekend barbie
  • family barbie
  • backyard barbie
  • go to a barbie
Synonyms
  • barbecue

    the full form and the most widely understood word

  • cookout

    common in American English for an outdoor meal with grilled food

  • picnic

    an outdoor meal, but it does not usually suggest grilling

Grammar Patterns

have a barbie

go to a barbie

weekend barbie

Usage Note

Often follows have, hold, go to, or invite somebody to. Distinguish it from noun/1, which refers to the grill itself.

Common Mistakes

We made a barbie at Sam's house on Sunday.
We had a barbie at Sam's house on Sunday.
have is the usual verb for this social event.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

For this sense, barbie is an informal Australian short form of barbecue. Barbecue is the fuller and more widely understood word, so it is safer outside Australian contexts. Cookout is close in meaning, but it is mainly American English. Picnic also describes eating outside, yet it does not strongly suggest that food is grilled on the spot. If Australian friends say they are having a barbie, they usually mean a relaxed social meal with grilled food. If you are writing for an international audience, barbecue is the clearer choice. You might go to a family barbie by the beach, but take sandwiches to a picnic in the park.

barbie ↗barbecue ↗cookoutpicnic ↗

Etymology

EnglishAustralian English

Barbie is a casual shortened form of barbecue. The shorter form became common in Australian English, especially in everyday speech about outdoor cooking and social meals.