Broil vs. Grill
The regional equivalence applies to one cooker method: UK “grill” corresponds to US “broil.” American “grill” additionally has the distinct on-grate cooking sense.
For cooking under intense direct heat in a cooker, US English commonly uses “broil” where UK English uses “grill.” In US English, “grill” also commonly means cooking on a grate over a heat source, so the terms are not universal synonyms.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / context | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| cooker method under intense direct heat, US wording | broil | Use the American cooker term. |
| same cooker method, UK wording | grill | Use the British cooker term. |
| cooking on a grate over a heat source in US wording | grill | This is a separate US sense, not “broil.” |
Quick tests
Decision test
Are you describing the cooker method where intense direct heat comes from above or a nearby heating element?
If yes: Use “broil” in US-oriented wording and “grill” in UK-oriented wording.
If no: If you mean cooking on a grate over a fire or heat source, “grill” is also standard in US English.
Caveat: Do not tell readers that every American use of “grill” equals “broil”; the outdoor/on-grate sense is distinct.
Examples
Broil the vegetables until the tops begin to brown.
“Broil” is the US cooker-method term.
Grill the toast under the cooker element.
“Grill” is the UK term for the corresponding cooker method.
We grilled the vegetables outdoors.
In US English “grill” also names cooking on a grate over a heat source.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use the American cooker term.
Fast Test
Use “broil” in US-oriented wording and “grill” in UK-oriented wording. If you mean cooking on a grate over a fire or heat source, “grill” is also standard in US English.
Usage Boundary
Do not tell readers that every American use of “grill” equals “broil”; the outdoor/on-grate sense is distinct.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- broil (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Broil is marked US for cooking food under a very hot surface in a cooker/stove, with UK grill as counterpart.
- grill (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge marks UK grill for the cooker method corresponding to US broil, while US grill commonly also means cooking on metal bars over a fire or heat source.