variants or less commonly pan fry or panfry
pan-fried also pan fried or panfried; pan-frying also pan frying or panfrying; pan-fries also pan fries or panfries

transitive verb

: to cook in a frying pan with a small amount of fat
Pan-fry the onions until golden-brown.
The fish fillets may be baked or pan-fried.

Examples of pan-fry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Although the final simmering step takes a bit of time, meal prep is done after forming and pan-frying the meatballs and stirring together the sauce. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2025 To pan-fry: Preheat a 9-inch skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pan-fry was in 1916

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pan-fry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pan-fry. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

panfried; panfrying
: to cook in a frying pan with a small amount of fat
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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