pudding
PUU-dihng
Pudding (noun) means a soft, sweet dessert, often milk- or egg-based, cooked or set until thick and creamy. Example: “She made chocolate pudding for dessert.”
noun
1
A soft, sweet dessert, often milk- or egg-based, cooked or set until thick and creamy.
"She made chocolate pudding for dessert."
"The rice pudding was still warm from the oven."
"Grandad's bread and butter pudding is baked until golden and soft in the middle."
2
In British English, the dessert course of a meal generally, regardless of what it actually is.
"What's for pudding tonight?"
"We always have a fruit salad or ice cream for pudding on Sundays."
"Would anyone like some more pudding, or shall I clear the plates?"
3
A savoury dish, often a type of sausage, made from ingredients such as blood, suet, or meat encased and boiled or steamed.
"Black pudding is a traditional part of a full English breakfast."
"He fried a thick slice of white pudding alongside the eggs and toast."
"The butcher's pudding is made fresh each morning and sold by the ring."
How to use pudding
Learner’s notes
UK vs US
In the UK, "pudding" often just means dessert in general; in the US it usually refers specifically to the creamy custard-like dessert.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
chocolate pudding
rice pudding
have pudding
black pudding
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Word forms
- Plural
- puddings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She made chocolate _____ for dessert.
Etymology
From Middle English podynge, originally referring to a stuffed sausage, from Old French boudin, "blood sausage," from Latin botellus, "small intestine, sausage."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pudding
See all rhymes for pudding →Frequently asked questions
What does “pudding” mean?
The word “pudding” means a soft, sweet dessert, often milk- or egg-based, cooked or set until thick and creamy.
How do you pronounce “pudding”?
“Pudding” is pronounced PUU-dihng (/ˈpʊdɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pudding” in a sentence?
Here is “pudding” used in a sentence: “She made chocolate pudding for dessert.”
What part of speech is “pudding”?
“Pudding” is a noun.
Where does the word “pudding” come from?
The word “pudding” comes from Latin. From Middle English podynge, originally referring to a stuffed sausage, from Old French boudin, "blood sausage," from Latin botellus, "small intestine, sausage.".
Is “pudding” a common word?
“Pudding” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pudding” have?
“Pudding” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, sweet dessert, often milk- or egg-based, cooked or set until thick and creamy.
What is the difference between "pudding" in British English and American English?
In British English, "pudding" can refer generally to the dessert course of a meal, regardless of what it actually is, such as cake, fruit, or ice cream. In American English, "pudding" specifically means a soft, sweet, milk- or egg-based dessert cooked until thick and creamy.
What is a "savoury pudding," such as black pudding or steak and kidney pudding?
A savoury pudding is not sweet at all, but a dish such as a type of sausage made from ingredients like blood, suet, or meat, encased and boiled or steamed. Examples include black pudding and steak and kidney pudding, both traditional in British cuisine.
Why does British English use "pudding" to mean "dessert" in general?
In British usage, "pudding" became a catch-all term for the sweet course at the end of a meal, so someone might ask "what's for pudding?" even if the dessert is pie or fruit rather than a traditional pudding. This broader sense exists alongside the more specific milk- or egg-based dessert meaning.
