buttery

1 of 2

noun

but·​tery ˈbə-tə-rē 

ˈbə-trē

plural butteries

1

: a storeroom for liquors

2

a

chiefly dialectal : pantry

b

: a room (as in an English college) stocking provisions for sale to students

buttery

2 of 2

adjective

but·​tery ˈbə-tə-rē 

1

a

: having the qualities (such as smoothness or richness) of butter

buttery flavors

b

: containing or spread with butter

buttery pastry

2

: marked by flattery

buttery compliments

Examples of buttery in a Sentence

Adjective

The cheese has a buttery flavor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fat High-fat cottage cheese usually has a creamy texture and buttery taste, while lower-fat products are drier and tangier. —Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026

Sushi aficionados will gravitate to the supplemental options for cult favorites like shimmery kohada and sticky-buttery nodoguro, and fleeting seasonal delicacies like kawahagi, a winter fish often intensified with a crowning slice of its own liver. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Our panel found a wide spectrum of flavors, from almost buttery to overwhelmingly tangy. —Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Mar. 2026

The use of color is exquisite, as Prager pairs buttery yellows, mint greens, vivid blues, and vibrant reds. —Katie Rife, IndieWire, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English boterie, from Anglo-French, from but cask, butt — more at butt entry 6

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a