cream

1 of 2

noun

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
They 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

cream

2 of 2

verb

creamed; creaming; creams

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1
b
: to remove (something choice) from an aggregate
she has creamed off her favorite stories from her earlier booksThe 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
4
a
: to defeat decisively
was creamed in the first round
b
: wreck
creamed the car on the turnpike
c
: to hit with force : smash
the quarterback got creamed by the pass rush

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 Web
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

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.

Kids Definition

cream

1 of 2 noun
1
: 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 verb
1
: to skim the cream from
2
: to put cream into
cream tea
3
: to stir or blend until soft and smooth

Medical Definition

cream

noun
1
: the yellowish part of milk containing from 18 to about 40 percent butterfat
2
: something having the consistency of cream
especially : a usually emulsified medicinal or cosmetic preparation
creamy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cream

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