noun
yolk
yohk
Yolk (noun) means the yellow, round part of an egg, surrounded by the egg white, that provides nutrients to a developing embryo. Example: “She separated the yolk from the white before whisking the meringue.”
noun
1
The yellow, round part of an egg, surrounded by the egg white, that provides nutrients to a developing embryo.
"To make meringue, you have to separate the white from the yolk."
"She separated the yolk from the white before whisking the meringue."
"The recipe calls for two whole eggs plus one extra yolk."
How to use yolk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe yellow center of an egg, as opposed to the clear-to-white part around it.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "yoke," the frame joining draught animals — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
egg yolk
runny yolk
separate the yolk
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Word forms
- Plural
- yolks
- Third person singular
- yolks
- Past tense
- yolked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She separated the _____ from the white before whisking the meringue.
Etymology
From Old English "geolca," related to "geolu" meaning "yellow" — the yolk is literally "the yellow part."
Synonyms
View more →
egg yolk
vitellus
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “yolk” mean?
The word “yolk” means the yellow, round part of an egg, surrounded by the egg white, that provides nutrients to a developing embryo. In plain terms, the yellow center of an egg, as opposed to the clear-to-white part around it.
How do you pronounce “yolk”?
“Yolk” is pronounced yohk (/joʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “yolk” in a sentence?
Here is “yolk” used in a sentence: “She separated the yolk from the white before whisking the meringue.”
What part of speech is “yolk”?
“Yolk” is a noun.
Where does the word “yolk” come from?
The word “yolk” comes from Old English. From Old English "geolca," related to "geolu" meaning "yellow" — the yolk is literally "the yellow part.".
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