verb
C2
Proficient
emulsify
ih-MUL-si-fy
Emulsify (verb) means to combine two liquids that do not normally mix, such as oil and water, into a smooth, stable mixture by breaking one into tiny droplets suspended in the other. Example: “Whisk constantly to emulsify the oil into the egg yolk.”
verb
1
To combine two liquids that do not normally mix, such as oil and water, into a smooth, stable mixture by breaking one into tiny droplets suspended in the other.
"Whisk constantly to emulsify the oil into the egg yolk."
"The dressing will emulsify if you add the oil in a slow trickle."
2
technical In physiology and chemistry, to break a fat down into fine droplets so that it can be dispersed or digested.
"Bile salts emulsify dietary fat in the small intestine."
How to use emulsify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo mix oil and water together so they stay blended instead of separating.
Memory tip
Note the spelling: emulsify, emulsifies, emulsified, emulsifying.
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Easily confused with
Common pairings
emulsify the dressing
emulsify the butter into the sauce
fully emulsified
emulsify fats
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Whisk constantly to _____ the oil into the egg yolk.
Etymology
From 'emulsion', from Latin 'emulgere' (to milk out), from 'e-' (out) plus 'mulgere' (to milk), plus the suffix '-ify'.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for emulsify
See all rhymes for emulsify →Frequently asked questions
What does it mean when a sauce breaks?
It means the emulsion has failed and the fat has separated back out, leaving an oily, grainy mixture. It usually happens when the oil is added too fast or the sauce gets too hot; whisking a spoonful of the broken sauce into a fresh egg yolk or a little warm water often brings it back.
What is an emulsifier?
It is a substance whose molecules attract water at one end and fat at the other, so it sits at the boundary between the two and holds the droplets apart. Egg yolk, mustard and lecithin do this job in cooking, and manufactured versions appear on ingredient lists in processed food.
What is the difference between emulsify and dissolve?
Dissolving breaks a substance down to individual molecules that spread evenly and permanently, as sugar does in water. Emulsifying only disperses one liquid as tiny droplets in another; the droplets stay separate and will eventually merge again unless something stabilises them.
What is the meaning of emulsify?
"emulsify" (verb) means to combine two liquids that do not normally mix, such as oil and water, into a smooth, stable mixture by breaking one into tiny droplets suspended in the other.
