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

Two lots of cheese curds have been recalled from Trader Joe’s stores after random sample testing turned up listeria in some finished product. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025

Go for a chocolate one instead of lemon, or try a lime curd instead of a lemon. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 June 2025

Or top sourdough with ricotta and a heaping spoonful of curd for a très élégante afternoon snack. —Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 May 2025

The curd will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. —Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 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