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

Staying relevant on the Strip requires frequent room renovations, facilities upgrades, and new amenities to attract not only bachelor parties and girls’ weekends, but also the midweek bread-and-butter convention crowd. —Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 17 July 2024

Instead, the letter concerns bread-and-butter allegations of false statements signed under oath and tax violations. —Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post, 11 July 2024

Noun

Popcorn has been the bread and butter at Tanger, and the Dots have been the better seller so far in Cheshire. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2024

This skill earned him his bread and butter and paved the path for his upcoming business endeavors. —Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 28 June 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