egg
/ɛɡ/
noun
- An oval or round object laid by a female bird, reptile, fish, or insect, containing a developing embryo and usually having a hard shell.
- The hen laid three eggs in the nest.
- Turtles bury their eggs in the sand to keep them safe.
- I had a boiled egg for breakfast this morning.
- A cell produced by a female animal or plant that can develop into a new individual when fertilized; an ovum.
- In plants, the egg is found inside the ovule.
- The egg cell is the largest cell in the human body.
- Fertilization occurs when a sperm meets an egg.
- A person of a specified kind (often used in informal expressions).
- Don't be such a bad egg; join the fun.
- He's a good egg — always willing to help out.
- She's a tough egg to crack, but once you know her, she's great.
Synonyms
verb
- To encourage or urge someone to do something, often something bold or risky.
- The crowd egged the performer to do another trick.
- She egged her brother to ask for a raise.
- His friends egged him on to jump into the pool.
- To coat or cover food with beaten egg before cooking.
- The recipe says to egg the bread before frying it.
- She egged the chicken pieces before dipping them in breadcrumbs.
- You should egg the pastry to give it a golden shine.
Antonyms