noun
barbie
bah-bee
noun
1
Informal Australian/British term for a barbecue, either the grill or the event.
"Chuck another sausage on the barbie, mate."
name
1
A brand of tall, slim fashion doll made by Mattel, and informally, someone (or something) resembling that doll's idealized look.
"She dressed up as Barbie for the costume party."
How to Use Barbie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInformal slang for a barbecue in Australian/British English; also the famous doll brand.
UK vs US
"Barbie" for a barbecue is chiefly Australian and British slang, rarely used this way in American English.
Word Forms
barbies plural, barbies plural, Barbies plural, Barbies plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “barbie”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Chuck another sausage on the _____, mate.
Etymology
The "barbecue" sense is simply a clipped, informal form of that word with the "-ie" diminutive ending. The doll is an unrelated trademark, a pet form of Barbara.