Egg

/ɛg/

Meaning & Definition

noun

An oval or round object laid by a female bird, reptile, fish, or insect, containing a developing embryo.

The robin laid three eggs in the nest.

A similar reproductive structure laid by other animals, including mammals.

The fish laid millions of tiny eggs in the water.

A common food product, typically the egg of a chicken, used in cooking and baking.

I need a dozen eggs to make the cake.

An immature or undeveloped ovum (egg cell) in the ovary.

The doctor explained the role of the egg in the reproductive process.

verb

To throw eggs at someone or something as a form of protest or vandalism.

The protesters decided to egg the politicians' cars.

Middle English 'egge', from Old Norse 'egg'

walking on eggshells

To be very cautious and avoid offending someone.

put all your eggs in one basket

To risk everything on a single venture.

egg on

To encourage someone to continue doing something, often something risky or foolish.

omelette

A dish made from beaten eggs cooked in a frying pan.

scrambled eggs

Eggs that have been mixed and cooked together.

eggplant

A fruit that is purple and often used in cooking, despite its name.

To egg someone on

He was egging me on to jump into the pool.

Bad egg

He seems nice, but he might be a bad egg.