First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1cream
noun, often attributive \ˈkrēm\
: the thick part of milk that rises to the top : the part of milk that contains fat
: a food that is made with cream
: a very thick liquid or soft substance that is rubbed into the skin to make it softer or is used as a medicine for the skin
Full Definition of CREAM
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 <the cream of the crop>
4
: creamer 1
5
a : a pale yellow b : a cream-colored animal
See cream defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CREAM
Middle English creime, creme, from Anglo-French creme, cresme, from Late Latin cramum, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cramen scab, crust
Related to CREAM
- Synonyms
- A-list, aristocracy, best, choice, corps d'elite, elite, crème de la crème, elect, fat, flower, illuminati, pick, pink, pride, priesthood, prime, royalty, upper crust
2cream
verb
: to stir or mix (ingredients) until they are soft and smooth
: to defeat (a person or team) easily and completely
: to hit (someone) very hard
Full Definition of CREAM
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
a : skim 1c b : to remove (something choice) from an aggregate <she has creamed off her favorite stories from her earlier books — Times Literary Supplement>
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
See cream defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CREAM
1596
CREAM Defined for Kids
1cream
noun \ˈkrēm\
Definition of CREAM for Kids
1
: the thick yellowish part of milk that contains butterfat
2
: a food prepared with cream <cream of mushroom soup>
3
: a very thick liquid used to soften, protect, or heal the skin <hand cream>
4
: the best part <Only the cream of the crop get into that college.>
5
: a pale yellow
2cream
verb
creamedcream·ing
Definition of CREAM for Kids
1
: to stir (as butter) until smooth and soft
2
: to defeat easily and completely <They creamed us in the championship game.>
Medical Dictionary
cream
noun \ˈkrēm\
Medical Definition of CREAM
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 \ˈkrē-mē\ adjective
Learn More About CREAM
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