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

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 notes

In plain EnglishA sour, thick dairy drink used often in baking.

Common pairings

buttermilk pancakes buttermilk biscuits

Word forms

buttermilks plural

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The recipe calls for a cup of _____ to make the pancakes fluffy.

Etymology

From Middle English butter-melke, equivalent to butter plus milk.

Origin: Middle English

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.