cornstarch

noun

corn·​starch ˈkȯrn-ˌstärch 

: starch made from corn and used in foods as a thickening agent, in making corn syrup and sugars, and in the manufacture of adhesives and sizes for paper and textiles

Examples of cornstarch in a Sentence

I used some cornstarch to thicken the gravy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Remove the pan from the heat and, while whisking constantly, dribble the hot cocoa into the egg cornstarch mixture very gradually. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2025

And in baked products like Millionaire’s Shortbread, the cornstarch lends that characteristic crumbly tenderness to the cookie’s texture. —Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 June 2025

Bruhn noted that hot water will cause the cornstarch to clump. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025

Arrange washed berries in pie crust: pour cornstarch mixture over. —Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 13 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cornstarch

• arch
• march
• starch

Kids Definition

cornstarch

noun

corn·​starch -ˌstärch 

: a fine starch made from corn and used in foods for thickening, in making corn syrup and sugars, and in making adhesives and sizes for papers and textiles