a great cook

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great cook" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is very skilled at preparing food. Example: "My grandmother is a great cook, and her recipes have been passed down through generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She grew up in Calling Lake, Alberta, was known as a great cook by her family, and loved watching cooking shows.

Vice

My grandma was a great cook.

The New York Times

I've never been a great cook.

Independent

"Aunt Martha wasn't a great cook.

The New York Times

A great cook, she loved to entertain.

The New York Times

My mother's a great cook and that started me off.

Independent

So I guess I'm not a great cook.

The New Yorker

And, in truth, I'm not a great cook".

The New York Times

"My mom has always been a great cook".

The New York Times

My girlfriend is Jewish, a great cook and seriously social.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My stepfather, who's Chinese, is a great cook, too.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great cook" to describe someone who consistently produces high-quality meals, not just someone who occasionally makes a good dish.

Common error

Avoid using "a great cook" to describe someone who merely follows recipes closely. A truly great cook can adapt recipes, improvise, and create original dishes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great cook" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "great" modifies the noun "cook". It describes a person possessing a high level of skill and talent in cooking. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great cook" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to commend someone's exceptional culinary skills. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. To enhance your writing, provide specific examples of the cook's skills. While alternatives like "an excellent cook" or "a fantastic chef" exist, "a great cook" remains a versatile and widely understood expression of culinary admiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excellent cook

Replaces "great" with a stronger synonym, "excellent", indicating a higher level of skill.

a fantastic chef

Substitutes "cook" with "chef", implying professional-level culinary skill, and "great" with "fantastic".

a skilled culinary artist

Uses more sophisticated language to describe someone with cooking expertise, emphasizing artistry.

a master in the kitchen

Emphasizes expertise and control in a cooking environment.

a culinary genius

Highlights exceptional talent and creativity in cooking.

a whiz in the kitchen

Suggests someone is very quick and efficient, but also skillful.

an accomplished cook

Suggests someone with a high level of skill that has been developed over time.

a talented home cook

Emphasizes that the person cooks at home, not necessarily professionally, but with considerable talent.

a proficient food preparer

A more formal and technical description of someone good at preparing food.

someone who cooks very well

A simpler and more direct way of saying someone is good at cooking.

FAQs

How can I use "a great cook" in a sentence?

You can use "a great cook" to describe someone skilled at preparing food. For example, "My mother is "a great cook", always creating delicious meals."

What can I say instead of "a great cook"?

Alternatives include "an excellent cook", "a fantastic chef", or "a skilled culinary artist", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a great cooker" instead of "a great cook"?

"Cooker" typically refers to a kitchen appliance. While understandable, "a great cook" is the more standard and natural way to describe a person skilled in cooking.

What makes someone "a great cook" versus just a good cook?

Being "a great cook" implies a higher level of skill, creativity, and consistency compared to simply being a good cook. It suggests mastery and artistry in the kitchen.