Front grill or grille? The correct term—and why it matters

Use “front grille” when referring to the front opening or decorative mesh on a vehicle; “grill” refers to a cooking appliance or the act of cooking over direct heat. While “grill” sometimes appears informally for cars, professional automotive writing, parts catalogs, and most style guides prefer “grille” to avoid ambiguity. This article explains the difference, usage norms, and how to choose the right word in context.

What each word means

Though they look similar, “grill” and “grille” have distinct primary meanings. In automotive and architectural contexts, “grille” is the standard term for a protective or decorative screen, including the piece at the front of a car that admits air. “Grill” relates chiefly to cooking and food service, as well as the verb meaning to cook over direct heat or to question intensely.

The following points clarify the core meanings of each term:

• Grille: A protective or decorative screen or grating (e.g., a car’s front grille, an HVAC return-air grille, an ornate metal grille in architecture).
• Grill: A device for cooking food over direct heat, a restaurant that serves grilled food, or the verb “to grill” (to cook or to question intensely).

Treating “grille” as the technical noun for screens and “grill” for cooking keeps your writing precise and prevents misreadings.

Style and usage guidance

In both American and British English, “grille” is the standard spelling for the automotive part. Some dictionaries note “grill” as a variant in the “screen/grating” sense, but it’s less common and can cause confusion with the culinary term. Automakers, repair manuals, and parts retailers overwhelmingly use “grille,” and most newsroom and technical style guides recommend it for clarity.

Use these practical rules to choose the right word:

• Write “front grille” (or simply “grille”) for vehicles, HVAC covers, and decorative metal screens.
• Write “grill” for cooking equipment, restaurants (“a bar and grill”), and the verb (“to grill vegetables,” “to grill a witness”).
• If you see “front grill” in informal contexts (e.g., forums), understand it as a common misspelling; in formal or professional writing, choose “grille.”

Following these conventions aligns your usage with industry standards and makes your meaning unambiguous.

Examples in sentences

These examples illustrate the preferred usage in real-world contexts:

• The SUV’s front grille was redesigned for better airflow and crash protection.
• Before the cookout, she scrubbed the grill and checked the propane tank.
• An ornate bronze grille covered the building’s intake vent.
• The listing said “front grill,” but the official parts diagram labels it as a “grille.”

Note how “grille” consistently refers to a screen or grating, while “grill” pertains to cooking or related contexts.

Etymology and nuance

“Grille” comes from French, where it denotes a grating or lattice, which explains its use for car fronts, vents, and architectural screens. “Grill” derives from French griller (“to broil”), which ties it to cooking. Over time, some cross-over spellings have appeared, but the modern standard keeps the meanings distinct: “grille” for screens, “grill” for cooking and the verb.

Summary

Say “front grille” for the part of a vehicle; use “grill” for cooking, restaurants, and the verb. Although “grill” sometimes shows up informally for cars, “grille” is the industry-standard spelling and the best choice in formal or precise writing.

Which is correct, grill or grille?

“Grill” (no ‘e’) is a cooking device or the act of cooking food over a metal grid, while “grille” (with an ‘e’) refers to a decorative protective metal screen or grating, most notably the one on the front of a car that allows air in but keeps out debris. To remember the difference, think of a grill as straightforward and associated with food, and a grille as having decorative bars or a pattern, like the two Ls in the word.
 
Use “grill” when you mean: 

• The device: The cooking equipment with a metal grid used to cook food over heat. 
• The action: The act of cooking food over a hot, open fire or coals. 
• A restaurant: A restaurant that serves grilled food, like a “bar and grill”. 

Use “grille” when you mean: 

• A decorative screen: An ornamental metal framework that covers an opening or protects something. 
• A car’s front feature: The metal structure on the front of a vehicle designed to allow airflow and keep out debris. 
• Other structural uses: A window grille (a decorative grid on a window) or a speaker grille (a protective cover for a speaker). 

Tips to Remember:

• Food>>: If you’re talking about cooking or eating food, you’re likely using “grill”. 
• Car>>: If you’re referring to the front of a car, use “grille”. 
• Structure vs. Function: A “grille” is a structure, while a “grill” is either a structure used for cooking or the action of cooking. 

What is the front grill called?

Radiator grille (front engine vehicle); Roof or trunk grilles (rear engine vehicles); Bumper skirt grilles (front and rear);

Is the front of a car a grill or grille?

Is it spelled car grille or car grill? “Grille” is the preferred spelling when referring to a car. “Grill” is often used when talking about cooking equipment like a barbecue. So, if you’re discussing the mesh structure on the front of a car, the proper term is “car grille.”

Is grille the same as grill?

Grill is most relevant in culinary contexts or intense questioning, functioning as both a noun and a verb. Grille, on the other hand, is a term specific to protective and ornamental frameworks, typically used in automotive and architectural situations and is generally a noun.