potato

word

/pəˈteɪˌtoʊ/
puh-TAY-toh
/pətˈeɪtəʊ/
puh-TAY-toh

Definition

A potato is a round or oval root vegetable with brown, yellow, or red skin and a white or yellow inside. People cook and eat it in many ways, such as boiled, baked, fried, or mashed.

Usage & Nuances

Usually a countable noun: 'a potato', 'two potatoes'. Common collocations include 'mashed potatoes', 'baked potato', 'potato chips', and 'sweet potato' (a different vegetable). In everyday speech, 'couch potato' means a lazy person who watches a lot of TV.

Example Sentences

I bought a potato at the market.

basic

The potatoes are boiling in the pot.

basic

She made mashed potatoes for dinner.

basic

Can you peel a few potatoes while I cut the onions?

natural

We had roasted chicken with potatoes on the side.

natural

He's such a couch potato on weekends.

natural