Butter Definition Butter Definition 1

Butter (noun) — a fat-consistent food used in baking, daily morning meals, cooking meat, making sandwiches, sauces, and more. The product is popular worldwide among people of all ages, known as a tasty and high-nutrition food made from milk.  

Part of speech:
Noun (uncountable)
Phonetic transcription (IPA):
/ˈbʌt.ər/
CEFR level:
A1
Word frequency:

How to Pronounce “Butter”?

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Tips for “butter” pronunciation: 

it is simple once you try spelling the first part like the word but and the second as ter with a strong t.

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How to Put “Butter” in a Sentence?

To define “butter,” you can check real-world sentences we made below and see how natively they sound.

I work 40 hours a week, and I don’t have time to make butter at home.
My mum asked me to buy butter so we can make cookies.
The day was so hot I melted under the sun like butter.
Bread and butter with a little strawberry jam is my main dish.
Please, spread butter on all pieces of bread.

What Are Synonyms for the Word “Butter”?

Learning synonyms is the best for your vocabulary. By using them, you will make sentences more interesting and fun. Here, you will find related words that you can use to avoid repeating “butter.”

Related nouns: spread cream soft soap

Synonyms (contextual): No, it is a specific word

Common collocations: cut butter melt butter

“Butter” Word Formation and Description in Context

You will rarely use this term on its own as it perfectly combines with other parts of speech and makes your saying clearer. Check some of them here and learn how to say “butter” with other words:

With adjectives: smooth butter fresh butter yellow butter

With verbs: freeze butter add butter buy butter

With nouns (noun + noun): peanut butter bread and butter cacao butter

Idioms and Phrases with “Butter”

The butter’s meaning seems to be straightforward: it is a food, nice and delicious when prepared well. Still, there are some special sayings that native speakers use to add spice to their texts.

  • Bread and butter — means something that is a vital (irreplaceable) part of another thing.

    I love my office job. It is my bread and butter, but also an inspiration.
  • Happy as a clam in butter sauce — being extremely comfortable and joyful.

    My brother got a large investment for his project, and he is happy as a clam in butter sauce.
  • Butter (someone) up — refers to the situation when you have to be nice to someone because you want them to do something for you.

    I came to my father and asked him to lend me a car, and he refused. I should butter him up ahead.
Butter Idioma Butter Idioma 1

Take a Quiz: Test if You Learned How to Say “Butter”

Practice is your best friend if you need to memorize a word for the long term. We prepared three activities that you can find fun and engaging. 

Type 1: True/false statements:
Choose the right answer:
1
People don’t use butter in the bakery.
2
You can make butter at home.
3
Butter may not only be yellow in color.
Type 2: Right word order:
Put these chaotic words to get correct sentences:
1
Add
cookie
some
my
to
butter
2
I
weekend
butter
every
buy
3
butter
is
cutting
He
Type 3: Choose the correct option
Select the answer that fits the meaning of “butter” best:
1
You need to crush cookies and melt some butter. What does “butter” mean here?
2
This store sells only lemonade. It is their bread and butter. This idiom is used here because lemonade is..?
3
He hugged me, and I felt like butter on hot toast. What feeling is described here?

Enjoy personalized learning!

“Butter” Spelling in Other Languages

You learned how to spell “butter” in English, but what about other languages that are popular in Europe? Check how this word changes in them.

Language Word for “Butter”
Flag Spanish Spanish   La mantequilla
Flag French French   Beurre
Flag German German   Butter

Unusual & Interesting Facts About “Butter”

Butter is something we are used to in our daily lives, but it has even appeared in world records. Here are some facts that may impress you.

  • The largest sculpture made out of butter was 1849.68 kilograms.

    The record was set in Dallas, US, by Sharon Bumann, an artist from New York. Originally, the sculpture was made in Texas and was called “Big Tex.”
  • The cow’s diet defines the color of butter.

    Typically, you see yellow butter sticks at stores, but in fact, they can be white as well if the animal eats less grass.
  • The cocoa butter type is plant-based.

    Made from cocoa beans, this butter is used for making chocolate and related products. It is known for being extra creamy and delicious, literally melting in one’s mouth due to high temperature.

Iconic Quotes Featuring the Word “Butter”

You already know phrases with “butter” with unique meaning, but what about this term in pop culture and books? The lines below can surprise you with their wide range of representations.

“Smooth like butter
Like a criminal undercover
Gon’ pop like trouble
Breakin’ into your heart like that”

BTS, “Butter”

This popular song is all about the singer’s charm: it is soft, like butter, and smooth, which can mean confidence. They sneak into fans’ hearts and win them easily.

“I shouldn’t think even millionaires could eat anything nicer than new bread and real butter and honey for tea.”

Dodie Smith, “I Capture the Castle”

This quote tells us about the simple experience of tasting freshly baked bread and real butter, a sensation that is shared by all people worldwide, regardless of their financial situation.

“‘I think we need food.’
‘As long as I don’t have to cook it.’
He threw his arm around my shoulder as we turned back to the palace. It felt like a very boyfriendish thing to do. ‘But we did so great last time.’
‘All I learned about was butter.’
‘Then you know everything.’”

Kiera Cass, “The Crown”

This quote describes the warm vibe of two lovers who are sharing some thoughts about cooking. One of them says that knowing the butter means knowing everything, and we can assume that it is because the product is one of the most used.