purée

mashed potato, puree

noun puu-REH Rare

Origin: Old French purer (to strain, purify)

Usage Note

Purée most often refers to mashed potatoes (purée de pommes de terre) in everyday French, though it applies to any vegetable or fruit puree. In informal speech, être dans la purée means to be broke or in a bad situation. As a mild expletive, purée! is a softened substitute for a stronger oath.

Examples

"Elle prépare une purée de carottes pour les enfants."

Natural Translation

She is making a carrot puree for the children.

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