cornflour
1 synonym for cornflour, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In British English, a very fine starch powder made from corn and used in cooking as a thickener or to stop food sticking.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cornflour
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
stir in cornflour
thicken with cornflour
a spoonful of cornflour
cornflour and water
Cornflour is standard British English; American English uses cornstarch instead.
Etymology
Cornflour is built from corn plus flour, and it forms a piecewise doublet with cornflower.
Full origin of cornflour →Frequently asked questions
What is cornflour used for?
It is mainly used in British cooking as a thickener for sauces, soups and puddings, and to keep food from sticking.
Is cornflour the same as cornstarch?
Yes, when used as a thickener, cornflour in British English is what cornstarch is in American English.
Is cornflour the same as cornflower?
No, though the two words sound identical. Cornflour is a starch used in cooking, while cornflower is a plant.
