Platter
/ˈplætər/
nounA2
Definition
A platter is a big, flat plate or dish that people use to put food on, especially when serving food to several people. It is often used for presenting many pieces of food together, like meat, cheese, or fruit.
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See It in Action
A large flat dish for serving food
- •She placed a platter of sandwiches on the table.
- •The waiter brought a platter filled with different kinds of cheese.
- •We shared a big platter of fruit during the picnic.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "platter" like "plate," but much bigger and made for many people to share food.
- ✓Picture a big round or oval dish full of different foods arranged nicely in the middle of a table.
- ✓It feels like a friendly way to share food with family or friends during meals or parties.
- ✓Sounds like "PLAT-ter" → imagine a flat surface (plate) that can hold a lot of food, like a flat platform.
- ✓Think of a dinner party or picnic where you see a big platter with slices of cheese, crackers, and fruits all together.
- ✓NOT like a "bowl" (which holds liquid or loose food), a platter is flat and open.
- ✓NOT like a "plate" (usually smaller and for one person), a platter is for many people.
Try Other Words
- •Tray: flat surface used to carry or serve food or items (Use when focusing on carrying food rather than presenting it)
- •Dish: a container for holding food (Use when the shape or material is more important than size or presentation)
- •Plate: a flat dish for one person’s food (Use when serving individual portions)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "plat" (from French "plat" meaning flat) + "-er" (a suffix that can mean something that does or has a quality)
- •Etymology: From Old French "plat" meaning flat, related to the shape of the dish
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe flat dishes or plates, now mainly for larger serving dishes
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in restaurants and homes for serving food to groups, especially at parties or meals shared by many
Reflect & Connect
•How does using a platter change the way people share and eat food together?
•Can you think of special occasions where a platter is more useful than a regular plate?
Fill in the blanks
1.The waiter brought a platter ___ different kinds of cheese and crackers for the guests to share.
2.At the party, everyone took food from the big platter ___ the center of the table.
3.A platter is different from a plate because it is usually ___ and holds food for many people.
4.When serving fruit, it is common to arrange it nicely on a ___.
5.You might use a tray when you need to ___ food from the kitchen to the dining room, but a platter is for serving.
6.The platter was full of small sandwiches, so everyone could ___ some easily.
7.If you want to present food in a beautiful way, using a ___ is a good choice.