Prepared dinner (6) - Crossword Clue
Answer: COOKED
Prepared dinner (6) is solved by COOKED, a perfect crossword answer meaning to prepare food by heating it. When you cook dinner, you're transforming raw ingredients into a meal through various heating methods like baking, frying, boiling, or grilling.
Understanding the Clue
- This straightforward cryptic clue uses a simple definition format.
- "Prepared dinner" directly describes the act of cooking, while the number (6) indicates you need a six-letter word.
- COOKED fits perfectly as it's the past tense of preparing food through heat application.
Why COOKED Works
- The word COOKED encompasses all dinner preparation methods involving heat.
- Whether you've roasted a chicken, simmered a stew, or grilled vegetables, you've COOKED dinner.
- It's one of the most fundamental culinary terms in the English language.
Solving Tips
- Look for action words: When clues reference preparing, making, or fixing meals, think of cooking verbs. COOKED is among the most common answers for food preparation clues.
- Consider tense markers: The past tense "prepared" (rather than "prepares") signals you need a past tense answer, making COOKED more likely than COOKS.
- Count your letters carefully: Always verify the number matches. COOKED has exactly 6 letters, confirming it fits this clue perfectly.
- Think broadly about cooking methods: COOKED covers everything from microwaving to professional chef techniques, making it versatile for various clue wordings.
Prepared dinner (6) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Could "prepared dinner" mean something other than COOKED?
A: For 6 letters, COOKED is the standard answer. Other preparation verbs like "SERVED" or "DISHED" don't specifically mean cooking.
Q: Does COOKED only refer to dinner?
A: No, COOKED applies to any meal preparation - breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The clue uses dinner as an example, but the answer works for all cooked meals.
Q: Are there British vs. American differences with this answer?
A: COOKED is universal in both British and American English with identical meaning and spelling.
Q: What if the clue says "prepares" instead of "prepared"?
A: Present tense "prepares" would lead to COOKS (5 letters), not COOKED. The past tense distinction is important.
Q: Can COOKED have slang meanings in crosswords?
A: Yes! COOKED can also mean "falsified" (as in "cooked the books") or "exhausted" in informal usage, though these are less common in standard crossword clues.
