curdle

verb

cur·​dle ˈkər-dᵊl 

curdled; curdling ˈkərd-liŋ 

ˈkər-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to form curds

also : to congeal as if by forming curds

a scream curdled in her throat

2

: to go bad or wrong : spoil

transitive verb

1

: to cause curds to form in

curdled milk

2

: spoil, sour

Examples of curdle in a Sentence

Too much heat will make the custard curdle.

Too much heat will curdle the custard.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even the most well-meaning of people have their good intentions curdle into cruelty when reflected through the prism of corporate life. —Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025

That’s because while Democrats have warmed somewhat to the idea, Republicans’ opinions of socialism – which were already negative – have curdled even more. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025

As a baby, back almost before goats were invented, my blood-curdling screams eventually revealed a cow milk allergy (and convinced my parents not to have more children). —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025

If any of your ingredients are too cold, the batter can curdle. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

metathetic variant of cruddle, crudle, frequentative of crud entry 2

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing curdle

• make someone's blood curdle

Rhymes for curdle

• girdle
• hurdle

Kids Definition

curdle

verb

cur·​dle ˈkərd-ᵊl 

curdled; curdling ˈkərd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to form curds

2

: to cause curds to form in

high heat curdled the custard

3

—used in expressions such as make one's blood curdle to indicate a feeling of terror

a ghost story that will make your blood curdle