undercooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undercooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe food that has not been cooked thoroughly or to indicate that something is not fully developed or completed. Example: "The chicken was still pink in the middle, which meant it was undercooked and unsafe to eat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As Jack in the Box's E coli outbreak showed, when undercooked burgers were served to meet unexpectedly high demand, the rush for speed permanently damaged children.

The Guardian

The firm that killed you now wants to sell you to a housewife in France, who would no doubt serve you undercooked with too much garlic.

The Economist

The Indonesian rupiah, the South African rand and the Indian rupee are undercooked by 50% or more.In the short term, however, it is financial and economic factors, together with confidence or lack of it, that hold sway in currency markets.

The Economist

In 1993, undercooked hamburgers emerged in the United States as a potential source of E. coli O157 H7, a deadly strain of a normally harmless bacterium found in the human digestive tract.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But where sanitation is poor and meat eaten undercooked, the incidence of tapeworm infestations is high.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Campylobacteriosis is transmitted mainly through drinking water, undercooked poultry, and raw milk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

FC Copenhagen tackle Chelsea in the middle of their winter break, which runs from the early December to mid-March, so they are likely to be undercooked tomorrow.

Independent

"Cook it until it is golden – there's nothing worse than undercooked, pale pastry, it's a bit insipid".

Independent

The heartache he endured at London 2012 came on the back of a winter severely disrupted by a knee injury that had left him undercooked.

Independent

We don't want our defence to be undercooked when we get to the Tests".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Instead of being the crispy, perfect dish viewers have come to expect from the TV personality, we were (according to Twitter) met with an 'undercooked' meat with a 'soggy bottom'.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food safety, explicitly state the risks associated with consuming "undercooked" items to emphasize potential health hazards.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on visual cues. Use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the food reaches a safe level, preventing it from being "undercooked".

Linguistic Context

The word "undercooked" primarily functions as an adjective describing food that has not been cooked sufficiently. Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is correct and common, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "undercooked" is an adjective used to describe food that has not been cooked sufficiently. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its primary function is to describe the state of food, often to indicate a cooking error or potential health risk. It maintains a neutral register, fitting various contexts like news, encyclopedias, and culinary discussions. When writing about food safety, explicitly stating the risks of consuming "undercooked" items can emphasize health hazards. Remember to use a food thermometer and don't only rely on visual cues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underdone

Synonym for "undercooked", implying the food is not cooked enough.

not fully cooked

Straightforward way of saying "undercooked".

insufficiently cooked

Formal way of saying "undercooked", emphasizing the lack of sufficient cooking.

half-cooked

Indicates the food is approximately halfway cooked.

partially cooked

Indicates the food has been cooked but not completely.

imperfectly cooked

Highlights the imperfection in the cooking process.

lightly cooked

Suggests minimal cooking.

rare

Specifically refers to meat that is lightly cooked.

uncooked

General term for food that has not been cooked at all.

raw

Indicates the food is completely uncooked.

FAQs

What does "undercooked" mean?

"Undercooked" means that food has not been cooked for a sufficient amount of time or at a high enough temperature to be considered fully cooked. It can also mean "underdone".

What are the risks of eating "undercooked" food?

Eating "undercooked" food can lead to food poisoning due to the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not killed during insufficient cooking. It is important to properly cook food to avoid health risks.

How can I tell if meat is "undercooked"?

The best way to tell if meat is "undercooked" is to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature. The specific temperature varies depending on the type of meat. Visual cues like pinkness in the center of meat can also indicate that it may be "undercooked", but a thermometer provides a more accurate assessment.

What can I do if I accidentally ate "undercooked" food?

If you accidentally ate "undercooked" food, monitor yourself for symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. If symptoms develop, consult a doctor.