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

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

Armed with a mid-90s sinker, a four-seamer and his bread-and-butter sweeper, McLean went 5-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 16 appearances, including 13 starts, after being promoted to Triple-A Syracuse in May. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2025

Noun

In the past, varsity jackets and cargo pants have been the bread and butter of the brand. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 25 July 2025

Sweet bread and butter pickles, or other pickles that use too much garlic or other seasonings, might overpower the balance of acidity (lemon), sweetness (sugar) and saltiness (pickle brine). —Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 5 July 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