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 of butter

Noun

• taffy
• flattery
• praise
• soft soap
• incense
• sweet talk
• flannel
• adulation

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

Barsotti’s version of garam masala — the warm spices typically used in butter chicken — include cumin, garlic and almonds. —Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026

The macaroni and cheese recipe includes half and half and ample sticks of butter. —Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

Verb

Anyone who has buttered and blitzed a mountain of mashed potatoes into a purée will understand. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026

Line the pans with parchment paper and butter the paper. —Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026

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 cookie
• 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

Rhymes for butter

• clutter
• cutter
• flutter
• gutter
• mutter
• nutter
• putter
• rutter
• shutter
• sputter
• stutter
• utter

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