Definition

Noun: 1. A dish of potatoes that have been peeled, boiled, and then crushed into a soft, creamy consistency: This refers to the prepared food item, typically seasoned with butter, milk, or cream.

Usage

• As a direct object: The word is used to name the food item itself.
  • For dinner, we had roast chicken and mashed potato.
  • She makes the best mashed potato with lots of garlic.
• With quantifiers: It can be used with words like "some," "a bowl of," or "more."
  • Would you like some more mashed potato?
  • He served himself a large portion of mashed potato.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in the singular form ("mashed potato") when referring to the substance or dish as a whole, though the plural "mashed potatoes" is also very common and acceptable in general usage. The singular form can emphasize the dish as a unified culinary preparation.
  • This mashed potato is perfectly seasoned.
• It can function attributively to describe other nouns.
  • a mashed potato topping
  • the mashed potato competition

Variants and Related Words

• Mashed potatoes (n. pl.): A common variant, identical in meaning to "mashed potato."
  • We're having steak and mashed potatoes tonight.
• Mash (n., informal): A common shortened, informal form.
  • Pass the mash, please.
• Creamed potatoes (n. pl.): A near-synonym, though it may imply a smoother, creamier texture.
• Whipped potatoes (n. pl.): A variant suggesting a very light, airy texture from vigorous whipping.

Synonyms

• Creamed potatoes: Potatoes boiled and mashed with cream.
• Whipped potatoes: Potatoes mashed until very light and fluffy.
• Potato mash: A less common, inverted form.

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Garlic mashed potato/potatoes: Mashed potato with garlic added.
• Mashed potato cake: A patty made from formed and fried mashed potato.

Noun

1. potato that has been peeled and boiled and then mashed