butter
BUH-tuh
Butter (noun) means a soft, pale-yellow fatty food made by churning cream, spread on bread or used in cooking. Example: “She spread a thick layer of butter on the warm toast.”
noun
1
A soft, pale-yellow fatty food made by churning cream, spread on bread or used in cooking.
"She spread a thick layer of butter on the warm toast."
"Melt the butter in a saucepan before adding the flour."
"We ran out of butter, so the pastry had to wait until tomorrow."
verb
1
To spread butter onto something.
"He buttered the toast and added jam."
"Always butter the baking tin well so the cake does not stick."
"I buttered a warm crumpet and watched the butter melt into it."
How to use butter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe dairy spread made from churned cream, or the verb for spreading it.
Common mistake
"Butter someone up" means to flatter them, not literally spread anything.
Common pairings
butter toast
peanut butter
butter someone up
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Word forms
- Plural
- butters
- Third person singular
- butters
- Past tense
- buttered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She spread a thick layer of _____ on the warm toast.
Etymology
From Old English butere, ultimately from Greek boutyron, a compound of "ox/cow" and "cheese." The word entered English through Latin.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for butter
See all rhymes for butter →Frequently asked questions
What does “butter” mean?
The word “butter” means a soft, pale-yellow fatty food made by churning cream, spread on bread or used in cooking. In plain terms, the dairy spread made from churned cream, or the verb for spreading it.
How do you pronounce “butter”?
“Butter” is pronounced BUH-tuh (/ˈbʌtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “butter” in a sentence?
Here is “butter” used in a sentence: “She spread a thick layer of butter on the warm toast.”
What part of speech is “butter”?
Depending on how it is used, “butter” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “butter” come from?
The word “butter” comes from Latin. From Old English butere, ultimately from Greek boutyron, a compound of "ox/cow" and "cheese." The word entered English through Latin.
Is “butter” a common word?
“Butter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “butter” have?
“Butter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, pale-yellow fatty food made by churning cream, spread on bread or used in cooking.
What is the difference between butter and margarine?
Butter is a natural dairy food made by churning cream, so it is high in milk fat. Margarine is a manufactured substitute made mainly from vegetable oils, created to spread like butter, often at lower cost. They look similar and are used the same way, but butter is dairy and margarine usually is not.
How is butter made?
Butter is made by churning cream until the fat separates from the liquid, known as buttermilk. The fat clumps together into a solid, which is then drained, sometimes washed, and often lightly salted. This simple process turns pourable cream into the firm, spreadable food we know as butter.
What are the types of butter?
Common types include salted and unsalted butter, the main choice for cooking or spreading. Cultured butter has a tangy, richer flavour, while clarified butter and ghee have the milk solids removed for high-heat cooking. There are also whipped butters for easy spreading and flavoured butters mixed with herbs or garlic.
Is butter good or bad for you?
Butter is high in saturated fat and calories, so most guidance suggests enjoying it in moderation rather than in large amounts. It does add flavour and some vitamins, and views on dairy fat continue to be debated. As with many rich foods, the key is balance within an overall diet.
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