bread-and-butter

1 of 2

adjective

bread-and-but·​ter ˈbred-ən(d)-ˈbə-tər 

1

a

: being as basic as the earning of one's livelihood

bread-and-butter issues

b(1)

: reliable

our bread-and-butter repertoire

(2)

: dependable as a source of income

a company's bread-and-butter products

2

: sent or given as thanks for hospitality

a bread-and-butter letter

bread and butter

2 of 2

noun

: a means of sustenance or livelihood

Examples of bread-and-butter in a Sentence

Noun

Casual clothing has always been the company's bread and butter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That bodes well for winter fishing prospects, as saugers are the bread-and-butter of Lake of the Woods’ booming ice fishing industry. —Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 14 Dec. 2024

Sanders, who caucuses with Senate Democrats, recently criticized the Democratic Party for not putting enough emphasis on bread-and-butter economic issues. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024

Noun

But Aftersun and things like that [indie movies], that’s my bread and butter in terms of what I’m drawn to as an actor. —Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

Bloomingdale’s Cyber Monday Deals Cyber Week is a department store’s bread and butter, and Bloomies is wasting no time treating us all to some very nice deals. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1770, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bread-and-butter

adjective

ˌbred-ᵊn-ˈbət-ər

1

a

: concerned with or being as basic as earning a living

bread-and-butter economic issues

b

: dependable

bread-and-butter products that always sell

2

: sent or given as thanks for hospitality

a bread-and-butter note