fridge
fridge
Pronunciation
fridge
/frɪdʒ/
fridge:
/fr/ - a voiceless labiodental fricative followed by a voiced alveolar trill (or approximant, depending on dialect).
/ɪ/ - a near-close, near-front unrounded vowel.
/dʒ/ - a voiced post-alveolar affricate.
Word Form Variations
The word "fridge" is an informal shortening of "refrigerator." As such, it primarily functions as a noun.
Singular: fridge
Plural: fridges
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
fridge (plural: fridges)
An electrical appliance, typically box-shaped and insulated, designed to maintain a consistently cool internal temperature, usually just above freezing, for the purpose of preserving food and beverages. It operates by removing heat from its interior and dissipating it into the surrounding environment.
Synonyms: refrigerator, icebox (dated), cooler (informal, sometimes referring to a portable unit)
Antonyms: oven, heater (referring to appliances that generate heat)
(Informal) A designated area or compartment within such an appliance, used for storing specific items, often with a particular organizational scheme.
Synonyms: compartment, section, cooler (in this context)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it refers to a part of the whole)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He opened the fridge, revealing a sparse collection of leftover Chinese food and a half-empty carton of milk." (From a contemporary fiction novel, e.g., The Guest List by Lucy Fokley, May 2020)
"Every morning, she would meticulously organize the contents of her fridge, a habit she'd developed to cope with the chaos of her job." (From a self-help book on organization, e.g., The Home Edit Life by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, September 2020)
Newspapers:
"Consumers are being urged to check their fridges for a faulty batch of pre-packaged salads, following a nationwide recall." (The Guardian, November 2023)
"Local food banks are appealing for donations as demand for fresh produce outstrips the capacity of their fridges." (Chicago Tribune, February 2024)
Online Publications:
"10 Smart Storage Hacks to Maximize Space in Your Small Fridge" (Real Simple, July 2024)
"This viral TikTok trend shows users turning their fridges into aesthetically pleasing works of art." (BuzzFeed News, April 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "Joey, what's in the fridge? I'm starving!" (From the TV show Friends, episode aired sometime in the 1990s)
Film: (A character opens the fridge to find it empty, sighing dramatically) (Common trope in many comedies or dramas, e.g., Bridesmaids, May 2011)
Podcasts: "On today's episode, we discuss the pros and cons of smart fridges and whether they're worth the investment." (A technology review podcast, e.g., Tech Talk Daily, March 2024)
Video Games: (In a simulation game, the player can interact with a fridge to store or retrieve food items) (e.g., The Sims 4, September 2014)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you remember to put the milk back in the fridge?" (Everyday conversation between family members)
"My fridge is making a weird noise; I think it might be on its last legs." (Casual conversation among friends)
"I always keep a spare bottle of sparkling water in the fridge for emergencies." (Common statement regarding household habits)
10 Quotes Using Fridge
"I have the body of an eighteen-year-old. I keep it in the fridge." - Spike Milligan
"There is absolutely no one, apart from yourself, who can prevent you, in the middle of the night, from sneaking down to tidy up the edges of that hunk of cheese at the back of the fridge." - Boris Johnson
"I'm a born entertainer. When I open the fridge door and the light goes on, I burst into song." - Robbie Williams
"Stand back! I gotta get some rocket fuel out of the fridge!" - Adam Savage (from MythBusters)
"I wish anyone in this world could go to his fridge and pick whatever he wants. Because the day you open your fridge and there is nothing in it, it is difficult." - Zlatan Ibrahimovic
"The whole dream of having your own place is great, but the reality is having to cook and clean yourself and do the washing and make sure there's milk in the fridge." - Michelle Ryan
"At the end of the week, my husband and I do a leftovers dinner, where we have to use whatever's in the fridge. It's sort of a game." - Lake Bell
"I'm still living the life where you get home and open the fridge and there's half a pot of yogurt and a half a can of flat Coca-Cola." - Alan Rickman
"Well, the fridge broke, so I had to eat everything." - Joey Tribbiani (from Friends)
"Not a white refrigerator!" - NeNe Leakes (from The Real Housewives of Atlanta)
Etymology
The word "fridge" is a shortened, informal version of "refrigerator." It essentially came about because people found it quicker and easier to say "fridge" than the full word.
The word "refrigerator" itself has older roots, going back to Latin. It comes from the Latin word "refrigerare," which means "to make cold again," and ultimately from "frigus," meaning "cold." So, the idea of "cold" is right at the heart of the word.
While the concept of cooling and preserving food has been around for a very long time (think icehouses and cool cellars), the electric appliance we know as a refrigerator became common in homes in the early 20th century.
The shortened form "fridge" started appearing in writing around the 1920s, with 1926 often cited as its first known use in print. It's likely people were saying "fridge" casually for some time before it showed up in books or newspapers.
The spelling with the "d" in "fridge" is interesting because it's not in "refrigerator." This "d" was probably added to make sure the "g" sound at the end was soft, like in words such as "bridge" or "ridge," instead of a hard "g" like in "pig" or "mug." Some also think the popularity of the brand "Frigidaire" (which started making refrigerators in 1919) might have influenced the adoption and spelling of "fridge."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fridge
"To be stuck to the fridge": (Original) To be obsessed with or constantly checking the contents of the refrigerator, often due to hunger or boredom.
"Fridge magnet personality": (Original) Describing someone who is colorful, attention-grabbing, and often a source of small, memorable messages or jokes, much like a fridge magnet.
"Fridge door gallery": (Original) Referring to a collection of children's drawings, photos, or important notes displayed on the front of a refrigerator, often held by magnets.
"Empty the fridge": To eat all the food remaining in the refrigerator, often to clear it out before a grocery trip or to use up leftovers.
"What's in the fridge?": A common question asked when looking for food or snack options.
"To raid the fridge": To unceremoniously or hungrily search for and consume food from the refrigerator, often late at night.
"Nose in the fridge": (Informal) To be constantly looking into the refrigerator, often without a clear idea of what one wants.
"To put something on ice": (Using synonym 'icebox') To postpone or delay something. (e.g., "We'll have to put that project on ice until next quarter.")
"Cool as a cucumber": (Using synonym 'cool') Very calm and composed, especially in a stressful situation.
"To keep a cool head": (Using synonym 'cool') To remain calm and rational.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fridge from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
