dice

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Small cubes with numbered sides, used in games to produce random numbers.

   Grammar: Countable; the singular is usually 'die' in formal use, but 'dice' is often used for both singular and plural in everyday speech.

   Patterns

   • roll the dice
   • throw the dice
   • a pair of dice

   Roll the dice to see who goes first.

   He threw the dice and got a six.

   The game requires two dice.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To cut food into small cubes.

   Grammar: Takes an object: dice the carrots.

   Patterns

   • dice something
   • dice something into something

   Dice the onions finely before adding them to the pan.

   She diced the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

   The recipe says to dice the potatoes.

Word forms

Common combinations

roll the dice

It's your turn to roll the dice.

load the dice

The gambler tried to load the dice to cheat.

dice with death

Driving so fast is dicing with death.

dice into cubes

Dice the tofu into cubes.

a roll of the dice

Starting a new business is a roll of the dice.

Synonyms and how they differ

die

Die is the singular form; use it when referring to one cube, especially in formal writing.

chop

Chop means to cut into rough pieces, not necessarily cubes; dice is more precise.

Word family

dicer noun

A kitchen tool or person that dices food.

Commonly confused: dice or dies?

Practice

Make it your own

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