Cook vs. Cooker — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 25, 2023
Cook is a verb that refers to the action of preparing food by applying heat or following a recipe. Cooker is a noun and usually refers to an appliance or device used for cooking, such as a stove or an oven.
Difference Between Cook and Cooker
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
You "cook" a meal using various methods like frying, boiling, or baking. A "cooker" is the equipment or appliance you use for cooking.
"I love to cook homemade meals." "The cooker is preheated to 350°F."
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
Meaning
Action of preparing food by applying heat
Appliance or device used for cooking
Usage
Describes the act of cooking a meal
Refers to the equipment or appliance for cooking
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Examples
"She will cook dinner tonight."
"The cooker needs cleaning."
Variations
Cooking, Cooked
Cookers, Cookerhood
Compare with Definitions
Cook
To prepare food by heating or following a recipe.
I like to cook pasta with tomato sauce.
Cooker
An appliance used for cooking food.
The slow cooker makes meal preparation easy.
Cook
The person responsible for making meals.
The cook in the restaurant is a skilled chef.
Cooker
A machine or appliance with various cooking functions.
The rice cooker ensures perfectly cooked rice.
Cook
The process of transforming raw ingredients into a dish.
Cooking requires creativity and skill.
Cooker
The tool that aids in culinary processes.
The multicooker simplifies cooking multiple dishes.
Cook
To prepare (food) for eating by applying heat.
Cooker
The kitchen equipment used to apply heat for cooking.
The induction cooker is energy-efficient.
Cook
To prepare or treat by heating
Slowly cooked the medicinal mixture.
Cooker
Cooker may refer to several types of cooking appliances and devices used for cooking foods.
Cook
(Slang) To alter or falsify so as to make a more favorable impression; doctor
Disreputable accountants who were paid to cook the firm's books.
Cooker
One that cooks, especially a utensil or an appliance for cooking.
Cook
To prepare food for eating by applying heat.
Cooker
A person employed to operate cooking apparatuses in the commercial preparation of food and drink.
Cook
To undergo application of heat especially for the purpose of later ingestion.
Cooker
A device for heating food, a stove.
Cook
(Slang) To happen, develop, or take place
What's cooking in town?.
Cooker
An appliance or utensil for cooking food.
Cook
(Slang) To proceed or perform very well
The band really got cooking after midnight.
Cooker
A cooking apple.
Cook
A person who prepares food for eating.
Cooker
A person who makes or uses illicit drugs, especially methamphetamine or cannabis.
Cook
(cooking) A person who prepares food.
I'm a terrible cook, so I eat a lot of frozen dinners.
Cooker
A person who is cooked; a crazy person.
Cook
(cooking) The head cook of a manor house.
Cooker
An implement for cooking.
Cook
(cooking) The degree or quality of cookedness of food.
Cooker
A utensil for cooking
Cook
(slang) One who manufactures certain illegal drugs, especially meth.
Police found two meth cooks working in the illicit lab.
Cooker
A device for heating and preparing meals.
The pressure cooker speeds up cooking times.
Cook
(slang) A session of manufacturing certain illegal drugs, especially meth.
Cook
A fish, the European striped wrasse, Labrus mixtus.
Cook
To prepare food for eating by heating it, often combining with other ingredients.
I'm cooking bangers and mash.
He's in the kitchen, cooking.
Cook
(intransitive) To be cooked.
The dinner is cooking on the stove.
Cook
To be uncomfortably hot.
Look at that poor dog shut up in that car on a day like today - it must be cooking in there.
Cook
(slang) To execute by electric chair.
Cook
To hold on to a grenade briefly after igniting the fuse, so that it explodes almost immediately after being thrown.
I always cook my frags, in case they try to grab one and throw it back.
Cook
To concoct or prepare.
Cook
To tamper with or alter; to cook up.
Cook
To play or improvise in an inspired and rhythmically exciting way. (From 1930s jive talk.)
Watch this band: they cook!
Crank up the Coltrane and start cooking!
Cook
To play music vigorously.
On the Wagner piece, the orchestra was cooking!
Cook
To make the noise of the cuckoo.
Cook
To throw.
Cook
To make the noise of the cuckoo.
Constant cuckoos cook on every side.
Cook
To throw.
Cook
To prepare, as food, by boiling, roasting, baking, broiling, etc.; to make suitable for eating, by the agency of fire or heat.
Cook
To concoct or prepare; hence, to tamper with or alter; to garble; - often with up; as, to cook up a story; to cook an account.
They all of them receive the same advices from abroad, and very often in the same words; but their way of cooking it is so different.
Cook
To prepare food for the table.
Cook
One whose occupation is to prepare food for the table; one who dresses or cooks meat or vegetables for eating.
Cook
A fish, the European striped wrasse.
Cook
Someone who cooks food
Cook
English navigator who claimed the east coast of Australia for Britain and discovered several Pacific islands (1728-1779)
Cook
Prepare a hot meal;
My husband doesn't cook
Cook
Prepare for eating by applying heat;
Cook me dinner, please
Can you make me an omelette?
Fix breakfast for the guests, please
Cook
Transform and make suitable for consumption by heating;
These potatoes have to cook for 20 minutes
Cook
Transform by heating;
The apothecary cooked the medicinal mixture in a big iron kettle
Cook
Fake or falsify;
Fudge the figures
Cook the books
Falsify the data
Cook
To subject food to heat for consumption.
You should cook the chicken until it's fully done.
Cook
To heat food to make it safe and enjoyable to eat.
It's essential to cook seafood thoroughly.
Common Curiosities
Can "cooker" refer to a person who cooks?
No, "cooker" typically refers to a kitchen appliance, not a person.
What's the difference between a "stove" and a "cooker"?
A "stove" is a type of "cooker" with burners for cooking on the top, while a "cooker" can encompass various appliances for cooking.
Can "cooker" refer to a pot or pan used for cooking?
No, "cooker" usually refers to the appliance or device used for cooking, not individual pots or pans.
Are "oven" and "cooker" synonymous?
While they both relate to cooking, an "oven" is a type of "cooker" used for baking, roasting, and broiling.
Are "cook" and "chef" interchangeable terms?
No, a "chef" typically implies a professional cook with advanced culinary skills, while "cook" can refer to anyone who prepares food.
Is "cooker" used more in British English than American English?
"Cooker" is more commonly used in British English, while Americans often use terms like "stove" or "oven."
What are some safety precautions when using a cooker?
Safety precautions include keeping flammable materials away, using oven mitts, and ensuring proper ventilation to avoid gas buildup.
Is there a difference between "cooking" and "being a cook"?
Yes, "cooking" is the action of preparing food, while "being a cook" refers to a person's profession or role in preparing meals.
Can "cook" be a noun as well?
Yes, "cook" can also be a noun, referring to a person who prepares meals.
What are some common types of cookers in kitchens?
Common kitchen cookers include gas stoves, electric ranges, ovens, slow cookers, and microwave ovens.
Is "cookerhood" related to "cooker"?
Yes, a "cookerhood" is an appliance that removes odors and smoke generated during cooking, often placed above a cooker.
Are "baker" and "cook" the same thing?
No, a "baker" specializes in baking bread and pastries, while a "cook" prepares a broader range of dishes.
Is "cookery" related to "cook"?
Yes, "cookery" refers to the art and practice of cooking, which involves the skills and techniques used by a cook.
Can "cooking" also refer to non-food-related processes?
Yes, "cooking" can metaphorically refer to various processes, such as "cooking up a plan" or "cooking the books" in a financial context.
Can "cooker" refer to outdoor grills and barbecues?
Yes, "cooker" can also encompass outdoor cooking appliances like grills and barbecues, especially in British English.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
