Vocabulary · US culture
American food in English
A2
American food in English: fast food, a big American breakfast, typical dishes like mac and cheese, and desserts like brownies and apple pie, with the US and UK words. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Fast food
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| hamburger / burger(n.)“I had a cheeseburger.” | minced beef in a round bread roll | /ˈhæmbɜːɡə/ |
| hot dog(n.) | a sausage in a long bread roll | /ˈhɒt dɒɡ/ |
| fries(n.) | long, thin pieces of fried potato | /fraɪz/ |
| pizza(n.) | a flat bread with tomato and cheese | /ˈpiːtsə/ |
| milkshake(n.) | a cold drink of milk and ice cream | /ˈmɪlkʃeɪk/ |
| soda / pop(n.) | a sweet fizzy drink | /ˈsəʊdə/ |
Breakfast
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| pancake(n.) | a thick, round, flat breakfast cake | /ˈpænkeɪk/ |
| waffle(n.) | a crisp cake with a pattern of squares | /ˈwɒfəl/ |
| maple syrup(n.) | a sweet sauce from tree sap | /ˈmeɪpəl ˈsɪrəp/ |
| bacon(n.) | thin slices of salty pork | /ˈbeɪkən/ |
| cereal(n.) | crunchy grains eaten with milk | /ˈsɪərɪəl/ |
| donut / doughnut(n.) | a sweet fried ring, often with icing | /ˈdəʊnʌt/ |
Typical dishes
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ / barbecue(n.) | meat cooked slowly over a fire | /ˈbɑːbɪkjuː/ |
| mac and cheese(n.) | pasta baked in a creamy cheddar sauce | /mæk ən tʃiːz/ |
| buffalo wings(n.) | spicy fried chicken wings | /ˈbʌfələʊ wɪŋz/ |
| apple pie(n.) | a sweet tart filled with apples | /ˈæpəl paɪ/ |
| cheesecake(n.) | a sweet cake made with soft cheese | /ˈtʃiːzkeɪk/ |
Desserts and sweets
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| cookie(n.) | a sweet, flat baked treat | /ˈkʊki/ |
| brownie(n.) | a small, soft chocolate cake | /ˈbraʊni/ |
| ice cream(n.) | a frozen sweet made from cream | /aɪs kriːm/ |
| popcorn(n.) | corn grains that burst when heated | /ˈpɒpkɔːn/ |
| candy(n.) | sweets (American English) | /ˈkændi/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
Fries (US) or chips (UK)?
In the US, people say fries (or French fries). In the UK, they say chips. In the US, chips are the thin, crunchy slices in a bag, which British people call crisps.
Cookie (US) or biscuit (UK)?
In the US, a cookie is a sweet, flat baked treat. In the UK, people say biscuit (but they also say cookie for big, soft ones). Be careful: in the US, a biscuit is a small, soft bread, a bit like a scone.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What are some classic American foods?+
Hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, pancakes, barbecue, mac and cheese, apple pie, cheesecake and milkshakes. They are all symbols of American culture.
What is the difference between fries and chips?+
It is the same food (long, thin pieces of fried potato), but it has two names: fries in the US and chips in the UK. Be careful: British crisps are American chips (thin, crunchy slices from a bag).
Is maple syrup American?+
Canada makes most of the world's maple syrup, but it is very popular in the US too, and some US states, like Vermont, also produce it. People pour it on pancakes and waffles at breakfast. It is a North American tradition.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/american-food
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.