butter

1 of 2

noun

but·​ter ˈbə-tər 

1

: a solid emulsion of fat globules, air, and water made by churning milk or cream and used as food

2

: a buttery substance: such as

a

: any of various fatty oils remaining nearly solid at ordinary temperatures

b

: a creamy food spread

especially : one made of ground roasted nuts

peanut butter

3

: flattery

butterless

ˈbə-tər-ləs 

adjective

butter

2 of 2

verb

buttered; buttering; butters

transitive verb

: to spread with or as if with butter

Synonyms

Noun

• adulation
• blarney
• flannel [British]
• flattery
• incense
• overpraise
• soft soap
• sweet talk
• taffy

Examples of butter in a Sentence

Noun

Would you like some butter for your potato?

Sauté the onions in melted butter.

Verb

butter a piece of bread

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The cookies are tender and made with real butter, and the tart jam is not too sweet. —Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 12 Dec. 2024

Anyone who is vaguely familiar with Indian food knows that butter chicken and chole, or curried chickpeas, epitomize the cuisine. —Shivani Vora, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Verb

If family names and trendy baby names for 2025 aren’t buttering your baby bread, perhaps some of the names shared by Redditors in the thread, that seem to take inspiration from food, will be your, well, cup of tea. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 5 Dec. 2024

The bread should always be buttered generously or, depending on the dryness of the turkey, judiciously smeared with mayonnaise. —Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English butere, from Latin butyrum, from Greek boutyron, from bous cow + tyros cheese; akin to Avestan tūiri- curds — more at cow

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing butter

• apple butter
• bread and butter
• butter-and-eggs
• butter bean
• butter clam
• butter knife
• butter lettuce
• butter up
• butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth
• cacao butter
• cocoa butter
• drawn butter
• head-butter
• like a (hot) knife through butter
• peanut butter
• shea butter

Kids Definition

butter

1 of 2 noun

but·​ter ˈbət-ər 

1

: a solid yellow fatty food made by churning milk or cream

2

: a substance resembling butter in texture or use

apple butter

buttery

-ə-rē

adjective

butter

2 of 2 verb

: to spread with or as if with butter

Etymology

Noun

Old English butere "butter," from Latin butyrum (same meaning), from Greek boutyron, from bous "ox, cow" and tyros "cheese" — related to buffalo

Medical Definition

butter

noun

but·​ter ˈbət-ər 

1

: a solid emulsion of fat globules, air, and water made by churning milk or cream and used as food

2

: a buttery substance

especially : any of various fatty oils remaining nearly solid at ordinary temperatures