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Pry vs Fry - What's the difference?

pry | fry |

As verbs the difference between pry and fry

is that pry is to look where one is not welcome; to be nosey while fry is to cook (something) in hot fat.

As nouns the difference between pry and fry

is that pry is the act of prying while fry is (usually in plural fries) (mainly Canada and US) A fried potato.

As a proper noun Fry is

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pry

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) pryen, . More at (l).

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To look where one is not welcome; to be nosey.
  • To look closely and curiously at.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, / To pry into the secrets of the state.

    Noun

  • The act of prying
  • An excessively inquisitive person

    • Etymology 2

    1800, ("lever"), construed as a plural noun or as a 3rd person singular verb.

    Noun

    (pries)
  • A lever.
  • Leverage.

    • Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To use leverage to open or widen. (See also prise and prize.)

    • fry

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) frien, from (etyl) frire, from (etyl)

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To cook (something) in hot fat.
  • To cook in hot fat.
  • (colloquial) To suffer because of too much heat.
    • You'll fry if you go out in this sun with no sunblock on.
  • (informal) To be executed by the electric chair.
    • He's guilty of murder — he's going to fry.
  • (informal) To destroy (something, usually electronic) with excessive heat, voltage, or current.
    • If you apply that much voltage, you'll fry the resistor.
    Synonyms
    * See also
    Derived terms
    * fried * frying * have other fish to fry

    Noun

    (fries)
  • (usually in plural'' fries ) (''mainly Canada and US ) A fried potato.
  • (Ireland, British) A meal of fried sausages, bacon, eggs, etc.
  • (colloquial, archaic) A state of excitement.
    • to be in a fry
    (Webster 1913)
    Synonyms
    * (fried potato''): chip (''Australia, New Zealand, UK ), fried potato * (meal of fried sausages, bacon, etc ): fry-up

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Noun

    (fries)
  • Offspring; progeny; children; brood.
  • Young fish; fishlings.
  • * 1644 , (John Milton), Aeropagitica :
    • it is not possible for man to sever the wheat from the tares, the good fish from the other frie ; that must be the Angels Ministery at the end of mortall things.
  • (archaic) A swarm, especially of something small (a fry of children ).
  • The spawn of frogs.
    • Derived terms
    * small fry English ergative verbs