noun
Common
dairy
DEH-uh-ree
Dairy (noun) means Milk and foods made from it, such as cheese, butter, and yogurt. Example: “Is there any dairy in this soup, or is it vegan?”
noun
1
Milk and foods made from it, such as cheese, butter, and yogurt.
"Is there any dairy in this soup, or is it vegan?"
"He avoids dairy because it upsets his stomach."
"The recipe calls for a dairy-free alternative to cream."
2
A farm or building where milk is produced or processed into other products.
"She works at a dairy where they make cheese and yogurt."
"Cows are milked twice a day at the dairy."
"The dairy down the road sells fresh milk straight from the cows."
adjective
1
Relating to milk or milk products.
"The supermarket has a whole dairy aisle full of milk and cheese."
"He sells dairy products at the market every Saturday."
"The label lists several dairy ingredients."
How to use dairy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything to do with milk — the products themselves, or the farms and industry that make them.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dairy products
dairy farm
dairy-free
dairy industry
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Word forms
- Plural
- dairies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Is there any _____ in this soup, or is it vegan?
Etymology
From Middle English deyerie, built from dey ("dairymaid") plus the suffix -ery, meaning roughly "the dairymaid's place."
Synonyms
View more →
creamery
milk products
Related words
Rhymes for dairy
See all rhymes for dairy →Frequently asked questions
What does “dairy” mean?
The word “dairy” means milk and foods made from it, such as cheese, butter, and yogurt. In plain terms, anything to do with milk — the products themselves, or the farms and industry that make them.
How do you pronounce “dairy”?
“Dairy” is pronounced DEH-uh-ree (/ˈdɛə.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “dairy” in a sentence?
Here is “dairy” used in a sentence: “He avoids dairy because it upsets his stomach.”
What part of speech is “dairy”?
Depending on how it is used, “dairy” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “dairy” come from?
The word “dairy” comes from Middle English. From Middle English deyerie, built from dey ("dairymaid") plus the suffix -ery, meaning roughly "the dairymaid's place.".
Is “dairy” a common word?
“Dairy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dairy” have?
“Dairy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: milk and foods made from it, such as cheese, butter, and yogurt.
What is the difference between dairy and diary?
Dairy (with the a before the i) refers to milk and foods made from it, such as cheese, butter, and yogurt, or to a farm where milk is produced. A diary (with the i before the a) is a book in which someone records daily thoughts, feelings, or appointments. The two words use exactly the same letters, which makes them one of the most common spelling mix-ups in English.
Are eggs considered dairy?
No. Dairy means milk and foods made from milk, such as cheese, butter, and yogurt, and eggs contain no milk. Eggs are often sold alongside dairy products in shops, which is why the two are so frequently grouped together.
What foods count as dairy?
Dairy covers milk itself and anything made from it, including cheese, butter, yogurt, and cream. Foods that contain no milk, such as eggs or plant-based drinks like oat and almond milk, are not dairy even when they are used in the same way.
Is milk from goats or sheep still dairy?
Yes. Dairy refers to milk and foods made from it, and the definition is not limited to cows' milk. Goat's cheese, sheep's-milk yogurt, and similar products are all dairy foods.
