starch

1 of 2

verb

ˈstärch 

starched; starching; starches

transitive verb

: to stiffen with or as if with starch

starch

2 of 2

noun

1

: a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, and is used also in adhesives and sizes, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine

2

: a stiff formal manner : formality

3

: resolute vigor

Synonyms

Noun

• beans
• bounce
• brio
• dash
• drive
• dynamism
• energy
• esprit
• gas
• get-up-and-go
• ginger
• go
• gusto
• hardihood
• juice
• life
• moxie
• oomph
• pep
• punch
• sap
• snap
• verve
• vigor
• vim
• vinegar
• vitality
• zing
• zip

Examples of starch in a Sentence

Verb

He starches the collars of his shirts.

Noun

a middle-aged woman who has retained the starch of youth

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At the time woven only by hand, these garments were prohibitively expensive to starch and clean. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 July 2024

The fabric, fully starched, would soar into the air and find its resting place on his cheeks. —Melvin Backman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023

Noun

Combinations with multiple ingredients may also include potato starch, tapioca starch, xanthan gum or other gums and starches to provide texture. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025

The manufacturing process involves cooking the starches, then adding acids or enzymes, such as heat-stable bacterial alpha-amylase, to break it down further. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sterchen, probably from Old English *stercan to stiffen; akin to Old English stearc stiff — more at stark

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing starch

• animal starch
• take the starch out of (someone)

Rhymes for starch

• arch
• march
• cornstarch

Kids Definition

starch

1 of 2 verb

ˈstärch 

: to stiffen with or as if with starch

starch

2 of 2 noun

1

: a white odorless tasteless carbohydrate that is the chief form in which carbohydrate is stored in plants, is an important food, and is used also in adhesives, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine

2

: a stiff formal manner : formality

3

: vitality sense 2, spunk

Medical Definition

starch

noun

ˈstärch 

: a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, has demulcent and absorbent properties, and is used in pharmacy especially as a dusting powder and as a constituent of ointments and pastes