- "Potatos" is an incorrect spelling of the word "potatoes."
- "Potatoes" is the plural of "potato," a starchy vegetable that is widely eaten around the world.
❌ Potatos are a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in various ways.
✅ Potatoes are a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in various ways.
How do you spell "potatoes"?
The correct spelling is "potatoes": P-O-T-A-T-O-E-S. The word is three syllables long. You can remember the spelling by thinking that we eat potatoes, which means there's an "e" in the plural form.
What does "potatoes" mean?
"Potatoes" are starchy, tuberous vegetables that belong to the Solanaceae family, which also includes tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. They are one of the world's most widely consumed and versatile foods. Commonly prepared through boiling, baking, frying, or mashing, potatoes are used in a wide range of dishes worldwide.
"Potato" is the singular form, and "potatoes" is the plural form.
Common phrases using "potatoes"
- Couch potato: A person who leads a sedentary lifestyle, particularly one who spends a lot of time sitting on the couch watching television.
- Small potatoes: Something or someone insignificant or unimportant.
- Meat and potatoes: The fundamental or essential elements of something; the basic and most important parts.
- Hot potato: A sensitive or controversial issue that is difficult to handle and often passed from person to person.
The use of "potatoes" and "potatos" over time
The Ngram graph below shows how often "potatoes" and "potatos" have been used from the 1800s to the 2000s. "Potatoes" has experienced a decrease in use in the last 80 years, while its misspelling "potatos" has always seen nearly zero use.
How to pronounce "potatoes"
In American and British English, "potatoes" is pronounced like "puh·tay·towz."
These are just the standard pronunciations, and there may be slight variations depending on regional accents and individual speech patterns.
Why would we misspell "potatoes" as "potatos"?
False Analogies: Some words ending in "o" take the "-es" suffix as plurals, while others take the "-s" suffix. Some people may mistakenly think that "potatoes" takes an "-s" like "pianos" and "photos."
Simple Typos: It's easy to type the wrong thing, especially when typing quickly or without proofreading. In this case, some people may miss the "e," leading to the misspelling "potatos."
Phonetic Confusion: Since the "e" is silent, people relying on the pronunciation of the word may leave out the "e" and write the misspelling "potatos."
Enlist the help of an AI proofreader to ensure that your written work has no spelling or grammar errors.
Other common misspellings of "potatoes"
- Potates
- Patatos
- Potaotes
Example sentences of the misspelling of "potatoes" as "potatos"
- I was surprised to find out that "potatos" is actually a misspelling of the correct term, "potatoes," when I was reading the recipe.
- In the English language, it's essential to remember that "potatos" is an incorrect way to spell the plural form of the word; the correct spelling is "potatoes."
- When writing about agriculture, be sure to use the correct spelling, "potatoes," and avoid the common mistake of typing "potatos."
- During the spelling bee, the contestant confidently spelled "potatos," only to be gently corrected by the judge, who reminded them that the accurate spelling is "potatoes."
- Auto-correct often changes "potatoes" to "potatos," so it's crucial to proofread your text to ensure you're using the right spelling in your culinary descriptions.
Example sentences of "potatoes"
- I'm planning to make mashed potatoes for dinner tonight.
- Have you tried sweet potatoes? They are a nutritious alternative.
- French fries are often made from deep-fried potatoes.
- My favorite soup includes chunks of diced potatoes.
- Baked potatoes with sour cream and chives make a delicious side dish.
- Hash browns are a popular breakfast option made from grated potatoes.
- The farmer harvested a bountiful crop of potatoes from his field.
- Potatoes in various forms are popular at summer barbecues.
- We planted a variety of potatoes in our backyard garden.
- The chef's special includes roasted potatoes seasoned with herbs.
Related words for "potatoes"
Note that there are no synonyms for "potatoes," since it is the name of a vegetable.
- Tubers: Potatoes are a type of tuber, and this term refers to the thickened, underground part of a stem or rhizome that stores nutrients.
- Root Vegetables: Potatoes belong to the category of root vegetables, which also includes carrots, beets, and radishes.
- Starch: Potatoes are rich in starch, a complex carbohydrate that serves as a significant component of their nutritional content.
- Mashed Potatoes: A popular dish made by mashing boiled potatoes and usually mixing them with butter, milk, and seasonings.
- French Fries: Potatoes sliced into thin strips and deep-fried, a beloved side dish or snack.
- Hash Browns: Shredded or diced potatoes that are fried until crispy, often served for breakfast.
- Chips (or Crisps): Thin slices of potatoes that are fried or baked until crispy, known as chips in the U.S. and crisps in the U.K. and other countries.
- Potato Salad: A dish made with boiled and diced potatoes, mixed with various ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, and vegetables.
- Sweet Potatoes: While distinct from regular potatoes, sweet potatoes share a similar name. They belong to a different botanical family and have a sweeter taste compared to regular potatoes.
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