curd

1 of 2

noun

ˈkərd 

1

: the thick casein-rich part of coagulated milk

2

: something suggesting the curd of milk

curdy

ˈkər-dē 

adjective

curd

2 of 2

verb

curded; curding; curds

: coagulate, curdle

Examples of curd in a Sentence

Noun

The curds have separated from the whey.

The curd has separated from the whey.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some varieties feature small curds, while others offer large ones. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 July 2025

Rinsing and draining the curds further removes liquid and reduces cottage cheese’s acidity. —Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 22 July 2025

For dessert, the bride and groom cut into their 5-inch round vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream and Key lime curd, with guests also having the chance to try an array of additional sweet treats such as Oreo cake pops, rum cakes, key lime tarts and chocolate mousse tarts. —Tricia Despres, People.com, 16 June 2025

Add egg mixture, and cook, stirring gently and scraping bottom of skillet in a circular motion using a rubber spatula, until large curds begin to form and bare spots appear on bottom of skillet, about 45 seconds. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English crud, curd (usually in plural cruddes, croddes, curddys) "coagulated milk, any thickened substance, dregs, lees," probably noun derivative of crudden, curdden "to curdle or make curdle (of milk), coagulate, congeal" — more at crud entry 2Though sparsely attested in Middle English, the metathesized variant curd is now standard in reference to a milk product, with crud, crood, etc., dialectal or regional in the British Isles (compare crowdie). An offshoot of British crud is North American crud entry 1.

Verb

Middle English curdden, metathetic variant of crudden — more at crud entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing curd

• bean curd
• lemon curd

Rhymes for curd

• blurred
• burd
• curred
• furred
• gerd
• gird
• herd
• kurd
• nerd
• purred
• sherd
• slurred

Kids Definition

curd

noun

ˈkərd

1

: the thickened or solid part of sour or partly digested milk compare whey

2

: something resembling the curd of milk

curdy

-ē

adjective

Medical Definition

curd

noun

ˈkərd 

: the thick casein-rich part of coagulated milk

curdy

-ē 

adjective