A cut of meat suited to roasting
"The chef selected a prime rib roast as it was the perfect cut for slow cooking in the oven."
In plain English: A roast is an insulting joke someone tells about another person to make them look foolish, usually as part of friendly teasing or at a comedy event.
"The campfire roast was perfectly cooked and smelled delicious."
To cook food by heating in an oven or over a fire without covering, resulting in a crisp, possibly even slightly charred appearance.
"The campers roasted marshmallows directly over the open flames until they turned golden brown and crispy on the outside."
In plain English: To roast someone means to make fun of them by saying mean jokes about their flaws.
"The group gathered to roast each other with gentle teasing and funny stories before dinner began."
Usage: Use "roast" as the primary verb when cooking food like chicken or vegetables directly over an open flame or inside an oven without covering it. This method is distinct from baking, which typically involves enclosed pans and lower temperatures to produce a crisp exterior rather than just browning.
Having been cooked by roasting.
"The roasted chicken smelled wonderful as it came out of the oven."
In plain English: Roasted means something that is extremely critical, mean-spirited, and intended to make someone feel bad by pointing out their flaws or mistakes.
"The comedian gave a hilarious roast of his famous rival at the party."
The word "roast" entered English via French and Frankish languages, ultimately tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to crackle." It replaced the native Middle English term breden, which was related to modern German words for grilling.