What does toast mean?
Toast is an unusually versatile English word. In its most familiar sense, it is bread that has been browned until crisp and golden; it can be eaten plainly or with toppings such as butter, jam, or cheese. Toast can also mean a celebratory drink offered in someone’s honor, as when guests raise a toast at a wedding or public ceremony. Used figuratively in the phrase “the toast of the town,” it describes someone who is especially admired or popular. As a verb, toast means to brown bread and to make a celebratory drink. The word can also mean to ridicule someone, particularly in informal British and Commonwealth English. Its range—from a humble food to a ceremonial tribute and a flattering description of a person—makes it especially useful in both literal and figurative writing.
Lightly browned bread, especially a slice of bread toasted until crisp; a drink offered in celebration or honor; or a person who is highly admired.
"The menu included fresh toast, while the host prepared a toast to the guest of honor."
The three senses are distinguished by context: food, celebratory drink, and admired person.
To brown bread or other food by heating it; to drink in honor of someone or something; or, informally, to ridicule or make fun of someone.
"They toasted the winner and then toasted bread for breakfast."
The ridicule sense is informal and is especially common in British and Commonwealth English.
The regular plural is used for individual pieces of toasted bread and for multiple celebratory drinks.
"The table was set with butter, jam, and several plates of toasts."
The same word that names browned bread can also mean a celebratory drink and the person being celebrated.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How toast is actually used
The food sense is everyday and neutral. The celebratory-drink sense is somewhat formal or ceremonial, while “to toast” in the sense of ridicule is informal and especially associated with British and Commonwealth usage. The expression “the toast of the town” is strongly positive and often humorous.
Easily confused with toast
Toast is bread that has been browned, whereas roast usually refers to meat or vegetables cooked by dry heat.