Grill and grille are both correct words, but they differ in spelling and usage. Although they are close in spelling and sound the same, grill and grille both generally deal with metal frames. Grill is the appropriate spelling for a cooking device and a type of restaurant.
Meanwhile, grille is only used as a noun that refers to a protective metal grid, and is never a verb. When confused between the two, remember that grill is used for cooking while grille (the one with the letter “e”) is used for protection.
When to Use Grill
We use grill as a verb and noun to talk about flat metal frames, cooking, and to question intensely. When grill is used as a verb, it means cooking something on a metal frame or asking intensely. Meanwhile, as a noun, grill means a flat metal device for cooking food or a restaurant where one can buy or eat grilled food.
Grill as a Verb
To cook on a metal frame
During weekends, we grill barbecue on our patio as a family bonding.
We typically grill burgers on vacation trips in summer.
Grill the bacon until it becomes a bit burned.
To question intensely
The accountant was grilled about the discrepancy in the financial statement.
Yna grilled her husband on his whereabouts.
The upper management grilled the managers about the delay at work.
Grill as a Noun
A metal frame for cooking
Let the chicken cook under the grill for ten minutes.
I hate cleaning up the grill filled with black stuff.
When eating Korean barbecue outside, we keep having our grill changed.
A restaurant serving grilled food
The girls waver whether they’ll eat in a grill or diner.
Tom cancelled his order in Herman’s Grill.
Tom’s Grill is my favorite go-to place for grilled food.
When to Use Grille
Grille is only used as a noun that means protective metal bars. Grilles are found on an air conditioner vent, windows, doors, and cars. In cars, grilles are the metal bars at the front of a vehicle that protect the radiator.
Grille as Noun
A protective metal bar
The grille outside our windows is now full of rust.
His brother thinks that the grille protecting his car’s radiator needs to be changed.
My father installed an elegant grille in front of the doorway.
Conclusion: Grill vs. Grille: Which One is Correct?
While grill and grille are correct and acceptable words, they differ in spelling and usage. Both words generally talk about metal frames. Remember, grill is the proper spelling for both a cooking device and a restaurant. Furthermore, we also use grill as a verb that means to question intensely.
Meanwhile, grille refers to a protective metal frame. To avoid confusion between the two words, grill is used for cooking while grille (the one with the letter “e’) is used for protection. Tip: a grill (a flat metal frame) is typically smaller than a grille (a protective metal grid).
References:
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.) Grill. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/grill
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.) Grille. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/grille
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Grill. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/grill
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Grille. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/grille
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Grill. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grill
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Grille. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grille
