dough
12 synonyms for dough, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A thick, soft mixture of flour and liquid used for baking bread, pastry, or similar foods.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use dough
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
knead the dough
roll out the dough
make dough (money)
Etymology
From Old English dāg, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to knead, form, or mold."
Full origin of dough →Frequently asked questions
What does “dough” mean?
The word “dough” means a thick, soft mixture of flour and liquid used for baking bread, pastry, or similar foods. In plain terms, the soft mixture you bake bread from — also old-fashioned slang for money.
How do you pronounce “dough”?
“Dough” is pronounced doh (/doʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dough” in a sentence?
Here is “dough” used in a sentence: “She kneaded the dough before letting it rise.”
What part of speech is “dough”?
“Dough” is a noun.
Where does the word “dough” come from?
The word “dough” comes from Old English. From Old English dāg, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to knead, form, or mold.".
Is “dough” a common word?
“Dough” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dough” have?
“Dough” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thick, soft mixture of flour and liquid used for baking bread, pastry, or similar foods.
What is the difference between "dough" and "batter" in baking?
Dough is a thick, soft mixture of flour and liquid firm enough to be shaped or kneaded, used for foods like bread and pastry. Batter is thinner and pourable, used for foods like pancakes or cake, because it contains more liquid relative to flour.
Why is "dough" used as slang for money?
"Dough" has long been used as informal slang for money, likely because both dough and money were seen as basic staples that are "kneaded" or worked for. This informal use exists alongside its literal baking sense.
Is "dough" formal or informal when it means money?
When "dough" is used to mean money, it is informal slang, appropriate for casual conversation rather than formal or professional writing.
