often attributive
1
: the yellowish part of milk containing from 18 to about 40 percent butterfat
2
a
: a food prepared with cream
b
: something having the consistency of cream
especially
: a usually emulsified medicinal or cosmetic preparation
3
: the choicest part : best
There were ten men in my boat, and they were the cream of Company L.—
Jack London
Jack LondonThey were still the cream of the crop, socially surpassing not only their constituents but also their colleagues in Congress.Edmund S. Morgan
4
5
a
: a pale yellow
b
: a cream-colored animal
creamed; creaming; creams
1
: to form cream or a surface layer like the cream on standing milk
2
: to break into or cause something to break into a creamy froth
also
: to move like froth
1
a
b
: to remove (something choice) from an aggregate
she has creamed off her favorite stories from her earlier books—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)2
: to furnish, prepare, or treat with cream
also
: to dress with a cream sauce
3
a
: to beat into a creamy froth
b
: to work or blend to the consistency of cream
cream butter and sugar together
c
: to cause to form a surface layer of or like cream
Synonyms
Examples of cream in a Sentence
Noun
Would you like some cream in your coffee?
hot chocolate with whipped cream
a chocolate candy with a vanilla cream center
The doctor prescribed a new cream for the rash.
a cabinet full of special creams and pills
Verb
Cream the butter and sugar, and then add the eggs.
the head-on collision creamed the brand-new car in an instant
See More
Recent Examples on the WebTori Latham, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2023
Its amber glow is bold yet comforting and to complete the vintage look, layer it with soft creams, comforting tans, and deep browns.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2023
The Jack Skellington éclair filled with pumpkin cream from Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs is a new and spirited choice.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2023
This cream plumps up the face, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and prevents scarring and breakouts.
—Essence, 23 Sep. 2023
Experts recommend serums, creams, and cleansers that lighten and brighten.
—Kayla Blanton, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2023
Complete spaghetti: Add cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire and hot sauces, and black pepper to the pasta.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
The elegant compact houses a luminous cream for sculpting and a shimmery powder for highlighting.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
The minimal look—where one exclusively wears cream or white hues—trended on the app earlier this year, when fashionable creators enjoyed cladding themselves in various coastal grandmother outfits.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2023
Brande Victorian, Essence, 19 Sep. 2023
Heat low and slow, and whisk in a splash of half-and-half or cream to bind the soup together if separated.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2023
Our go-to make-ahead mashed potato recipe allows for the ‘taters to be boiled and creamed up to two days ahead.
—Julie Harans, Bon Appétit, 11 Sep. 2023
Incorporating less air will help the product yield the best results using a creaming or foaming method for your leavening method.
—Nik Pugmire, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2023
Another treatment option that can be used in conjunction with, or in place of, other treatments: over-the-counter sciatica creams.
—Lisa Mulcahy, Good Housekeeping, 9 Aug. 2023
Pairing light-blue elements with neutrals, such as this room's textured bamboo window shades and cream upholstered headboard, helps create balance and a layered look.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
Just like in earlier videos, the Tesla creamed the child mannequin.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2023
The ratio of chocolate to cream determines the texture of the ganache and how it will be used.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2023
See More
Noun
The denim jacket and matching wide-leg jeans feature an artistic sky-blue graphic print on a cream background.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2023
Its amber glow is bold yet comforting and to complete the vintage look, layer it with soft creams, comforting tans, and deep browns.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2023
The Jack Skellington éclair filled with pumpkin cream from Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs is a new and spirited choice.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2023
This cream plumps up the face, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and prevents scarring and breakouts.
—Essence, 23 Sep. 2023
Experts recommend serums, creams, and cleansers that lighten and brighten.
—Kayla Blanton, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2023
Complete spaghetti: Add cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire and hot sauces, and black pepper to the pasta.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
The elegant compact houses a luminous cream for sculpting and a shimmery powder for highlighting.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
The minimal look—where one exclusively wears cream or white hues—trended on the app earlier this year, when fashionable creators enjoyed cladding themselves in various coastal grandmother outfits.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2023
Verb
The plate consisted of a poblano creamed corn and a corn and tomato medley topped with a cheese crip that sat on a bed of poblano crema, which was equal parts savory and spicy.
—Brande Victorian, Essence, 19 Sep. 2023
Heat low and slow, and whisk in a splash of half-and-half or cream to bind the soup together if separated.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2023
Our go-to make-ahead mashed potato recipe allows for the ‘taters to be boiled and creamed up to two days ahead.
—Julie Harans, Bon Appétit, 11 Sep. 2023
Incorporating less air will help the product yield the best results using a creaming or foaming method for your leavening method.
—Nik Pugmire, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2023
Another treatment option that can be used in conjunction with, or in place of, other treatments: over-the-counter sciatica creams.
—Lisa Mulcahy, Good Housekeeping, 9 Aug. 2023
Pairing light-blue elements with neutrals, such as this room's textured bamboo window shades and cream upholstered headboard, helps create balance and a layered look.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
Just like in earlier videos, the Tesla creamed the child mannequin.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2023
The ratio of chocolate to cream determines the texture of the ganache and how it will be used.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cream.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English creime, creme, from Anglo-French creme, cresme, from Late Latin cramum, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cramen scab, crust
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1596, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of cream was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing cream
Dictionary Entries Near cream
Cite this Entry
“Cream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cream. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
cream
1 of 2 noun1
: the yellowish part of milk containing butterfat
2
a
: a food prepared with cream
cream soup
b
: something having about the same thickness as cream
hand cream
3
: the best part
the cream of the crop
4
: a pale yellow
cream
2 of 2 verb1
: to skim the cream from
2
: to put cream into
cream tea
3
: to stir or blend until soft and smooth
More from Merriam-Webster on cream
Nglish: Translation of cream for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cream for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cream
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share