butter
Pluralbutters (some meanings)
Verbbutters, buttering, buttered
Pluralbutters (some meanings)
Formsbutters, buttering, buttered
- 1A soft yellow food made from cream, used for cooking and for spreading on bread.
Like thick cream that has been turned solid.
She spread butter on her warm toast.
We need more butter for the cookies.
UsageFor an amount, say some butter or a piece of butter.
- 2A soft food like butter but made from other foods, such as nuts or seeds.
Like butter, but made from crushed nuts or seeds instead of milk.
Almond butter has become a popular spread for sandwiches.
He stirred the natural peanut butter until the oil mixed back in.
UsageSay peanut butter or almond butter.
Note
- 3To put butter on something, such as bread or toast.
She buttered both slices of bread.
Please butter the rolls before dinner.
UsageSay butter the bread.
Similargrease
- 4A soft, oily substance made from plants, used in skin creams and beauty products.
Shea butter helps keep dry skin soft.
She rubbed cocoa butter on her hands every night.
Note
Less common meanings
- 5An animal or thing that hits something with its head or horns.
That ram is a notorious butter, so keep your distance.
Watch the brown goat. She's a butter and pushes people with her head.
Note
- 6A person who gets involved in other people's business without being asked.
Similarbusybody, meddler, interferer
Note
- 7In old chemistry, a soft substance that melts easily, especially certain metal compounds.
Note
- 8To raise the bet again at every roll of the dice or every game.
Note
- 9Something very smooth or impressive, like a skillful move or a great performance.
That last dance move was pure butter.
Did you see her shot from half court? Total butter!
Note
- 10On a snowboard or skis, to ride or spin on just the front or back end.
- 11A landing so smooth that you can barely feel the plane reach the ground.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
It comes from an old Greek word meaning "cow cheese," which passed through Latin and Old English.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Butter ultimately comes from an Ancient Greek word literally meaning 'cow cheese'. en.wiktionary.org
- The word passed through Latin and Old English. en.wiktionary.org
It comes from the word "butt" plus the ending "-er."
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact
- Butter, meaning someone or something that butts, comes from butt plus -er. en.wiktionary.org