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

And Democrats have to stay razor-focused on the bread-and-butter and macaroni-and-cheese issues, not just the macro, the macro issues. —NBC news, 24 Aug. 2025

For a more diverse selection, local farmers’ markets and specialty food shops often carry small-batch or artisanal pickles in unique flavors, such as chipotle, spicy garlic, or bread-and-butter. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025

Noun

Pressman said while making theatrical films is their bread and butter, there’s more where all that came from. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025

Clearly, operational improvements, capital restructuring, or governance reforms—the bread and butter of activist investors—could unlock significant shareholder value. —David Michels, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1770, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bread-and-butter

• kilometre
• butter
• clutter
• cutter
• flutter
• gutter
• mutter
• nutter
• putter
• rutter
• shutter
• sputter

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