refrigerate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "refrigerate" is correct and very commonly used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of keeping an item in a refrigerator, or when discussing a refrigerator itself. For example, "I need to refrigerate these leftovers so they don't spoil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Refrigerate if not serving right away, but take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you are going to serve it.

The New York Times

Per serving: 60ml Bombay Sapphire gin 50ml rhubarb cordial 200ml tonic water Pour five or six servings' worth of gin and cordial into a big jug and refrigerate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Make your own rhubarb cordial – put 400-450g rhubarb, 250g sugar, the juice of half a lemon and 500ml water in a pan, bring to a boil, simmer until the rhubarb has disintegrated, then cool, strain through muslin into a jug (it will take a few hours to drip through) and refrigerate; or buy a decent commercial brand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Wrap in clingfilm and refrigerate for 1 hour. 2 Stand for 15 minutes at room temperature before rolling out to a 3mm thick disc using it to line a 28cm flan tin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If the dough's too sticky to roll, wrap it in clingfilm and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes before continuing; if it's too dry to hold together, add the remaining milk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Refrigerate – any fat will rise to the top and chill to such a degree that it can be lifted off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Take the ramekins out of the water, set aside to cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least three hours, preferably overnight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Prick the base and refrigerate for a further 30 minutes. 3 Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Line the pastry shell with greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans and blind bake for 20 minutes, before removing beads and greaseproof paper and baking it for another 10 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Wrap clingfilm around the dough and refrigerate for 24-36 hours (the closer to 36 the better).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cover, refrigerate and leave to marinade for at least 30 minutes if you've got it, and up to 12 hours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Remove from the oven, set aside to cool, then refrigerate for at least two hours, until completely cold.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to store food, specify the temperature if precision is important. For example, "Refrigerate below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth".

Common error

Be aware that certain foods, like tomatoes or basil, lose flavor and texture when "refrigerated". Store them at room temperature for optimal quality.

Linguistic Context

The verb "refrigerate" functions primarily to describe the act of cooling or preserving something by placing it in a refrigerator. Ludwig AI validates this with numerous examples showing its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

0.3333333333333333%

Formal & Business

0.3333333333333333%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "refrigerate" is a common and grammatically correct verb used to describe the process of cooling items, especially food, in a refrigerator to preserve them. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various contexts, primarily in news and media. Related terms include "chill" and "cool", though "refrigerate" specifically implies using a refrigerator. It’s important to note that while refrigeration is vital for preserving many items, some, like certain fruits and herbs, are best stored at room temperature. Usage is considered neutral and easily understood. In short, “refrigerate” is a straightforward and widely applicable term for a common preservation method.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

store in a refrigerator

More explicit, specifying the method of preservation.

chill

Refers to reducing the temperature, often as a first step before refrigeration.

place in the fridge

An informal alternative, using "fridge" for refrigerator.

cool

A more general term for reducing temperature, less specific than "refrigerate".

keep cold

Emphasizes maintaining a low temperature over time.

put in cold storage

Highlights the storage aspect at low temperatures.

preserve by cooling

Focuses on the preservation aspect achieved through cooling.

ice down

Using ice to bring down the temperature.

deep-chill

Indicates a lower temperature than simply chilling.

freeze

Implies lowering the temperature to freezing point or below.

FAQs

How to use "refrigerate" in a sentence?

You can use "refrigerate" in sentences like, "Please refrigerate the leftovers promptly" or "It's important to refrigerate dairy products to prevent spoilage".

What can I say instead of "refrigerate"?

You can use alternatives like "chill", "cool", or "store in a refrigerator" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "refrigerate" or "put in the freezer"?

"Refrigerate" means to cool something, but not to freeze it. "Put in the freezer" indicates freezing the item. The correct choice depends on the desired temperature and preservation method.

What's the difference between "refrigerate" and "store at room temperature"?

"Refrigerate" means to store something in a refrigerator at a low temperature to preserve it. "Store at room temperature" means keeping something in an environment that is neither heated nor cooled, which may be suitable for certain items but not for perishable goods.