noun
buttermilk
BUH-tuh-mihlk
Buttermilk (noun) means a tangy, slightly sour liquid dairy product, traditionally the liquid left after churning butter, now usually made by fermenting milk. Example: “The recipe calls for a cup of buttermilk to make the pancakes fluffy.”
noun
1
A tangy, slightly sour liquid dairy product, traditionally the liquid left after churning butter, now usually made by fermenting milk.
"The recipe calls for a cup of buttermilk to make the pancakes fluffy."
How to use buttermilk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sour, thick dairy drink used often in baking.
Common pairings
buttermilk pancakes
buttermilk biscuits
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Word forms
- Plural
- buttermilks
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The recipe calls for a cup of _____ to make the pancakes fluffy.
Etymology
From Middle English butter-melke, equivalent to butter plus milk.
Frequently asked questions
What does “buttermilk” mean?
The word “buttermilk” means a tangy, slightly sour liquid dairy product, traditionally the liquid left after churning butter, now usually made by fermenting milk. In plain terms, a sour, thick dairy drink used often in baking.
How do you pronounce “buttermilk”?
“Buttermilk” is pronounced BUH-tuh-mihlk (/ˈbʌtɚˌmɪlk/ in IPA).
How do you use “buttermilk” in a sentence?
Here is “buttermilk” used in a sentence: “The recipe calls for a cup of buttermilk to make the pancakes fluffy.”
What part of speech is “buttermilk”?
“Buttermilk” is a noun.
Where does the word “buttermilk” come from?
The word “buttermilk” comes from Middle English. From Middle English butter-melke, equivalent to butter plus milk.
