cream

KREEM/kɹiːm/

Pluralcreams (some meanings)

Verbcreams, creaming, creamed

18 meanings of cream

Practice

1
fat from milknoununcountable
The thick, fatty part of milk, used in food and drinks, or one small serving of it.
Like oil rising to float on top of water.
He put some cream in his tea.
Buy a carton of cream for the pasta sauce.
UsageSay some cream or a little cream.
2
whipped toppingnouncolloquialuncountable
A soft, sweet topping or filling like frosting, custard, or whipped milk.
Like the sweet, soft topping you see swirled on cupcakes.
He twisted the cookie open and licked the cream inside.
The donut was filled with sweet cream.
UsageOften cream filling.
Similarfilling
Note
3
rub on skinnouncountable or uncountable
A soft, smooth mixture you rub on your skin, to treat a problem or to keep skin soft.
Like a lotion that carries medicine into your skin.
The doctor gave her a cream for the rash.
Rub a little cream on the dry patch twice a day.
UsageYou put cream on your skin and rub it in.
Similarointment, lotion, salve, balm
Note
4
of that coloradjective
Having a pale yellowish-white color, like dairy cream.
She wore a cream dress to the party.
The old house had cream walls and brown trim.
Similarivory, off-white, ecru
5
the color itselfnouncountable or uncountable
A pale yellowish-white color, the shade of fresh dairy cream.
Like the soft, pale color you see in fresh milk.
She painted the walls a soft cream.
His shirt was a pale cream, almost white.
Similarivory, off-white, ecru
6
beat butterverbtransitive
To beat butter or another fat, often with sugar, until soft and fluffy.
Like stirring butter until it turns soft and fluffy like whipped cream.
Cream the butter and sugar before adding the eggs.
She creamed the soft butter with a wooden spoon.
UsageRecipes say cream the butter and sugar.
Similarbeat, whip
Note
7
the finestnounfigurativelycountable or uncountable
The best or finest part of a group.
Like the top layer of milk being the richest, the best people rise to the top.
These students are the cream of the whole school.
Only the cream of the crop get into this music school.
UsageThe cream of the crop means the very best.
Similarpick, best, elite, flower
Oppositedregs
Note
8
smooth soupnouncountable
A smooth, thick soup made with cream or milk, such as cream of mushroom.
We started the meal with a warm cream of asparagus.
Her favorite comfort food is a thick cream of chicken.
UsageSay cream of tomato soup.

Less common meanings

9
defeat badlyverbslangtransitive
To beat someone very badly in a game or fight.
Like winning a race when no one else even comes close.
Our team creamed theirs by forty points.
They're going to cream us if we don't practice.
UsagePeople often say we got creamed.
Similarthrash, trounce, crush, rout, hammer
10
blend smoothverbtransitive
To mix food until it is smooth and soft.
Like blending fruit into a smooth drink.
Cream the soup until it has no lumps left.
She creamed the cooked potatoes with a hand blender.
Similarblend, liquidize
11
remove the bestverbfigurativelytransitive
To take away the best part of something for yourself.
Like picking only the best apples and leaving the rest behind.
Rich clubs cream off the best young players every year.
The agency creamed off the most profitable clients before the merger.
UsageSay cream off the best.
Similarskim, poach
Note
12
semennounslangvulgaruncountable
A rude slang word for semen.
When he did come, he spurted his cream all over the front of Rosalee’s T-shirt and neck.
2004, Art Wiederhold, Wild Flowers
He tucked his cock into his pants before rubbing his cream into her breasts in slow, teasing strokes.
2003, Dominique Adair, “Two Days, Three Nights”
13
add to foodverbtransitive
To add cream to a food or drink, or to cover it as if with cream.
He likes to cream his coffee before he drinks it.
He creamed and sugared his coffee before taking a sip.
UsageCreamed peas are cooked with cream or milk.
Similartop
Note
14
climaxverbslangvulgarintransitive
(rude slang) To release sexual fluid at climax.
Some men cream far too quickly the first time.
He nearly creamed his pants when he saw the new car.
Similarcome
Note
15
form on topverbintransitive
To form a layer of cream on top, as milk does when it sits.
Like fat slowly rising to the top of soup as it cools.
Fresh milk will cream if you leave it standing overnight.
The milk had creamed by morning, leaving a thick top layer.
Note
16
nounobsoleteuncountable
Holy oil used to bless people in religious ceremonies.
there shall never harlot have happe, by the helpe of Oure Lord, to kylle a crowned Kynge that with Creyme is anoynted.
Note
17
verbdated
To take the cream off the top of milk by skimming.
18
verbrare
To give something a pale yellow-white color, like cream.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of cream apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Old French from Latin words meaning "cream" and "ointment," the latter from a Greek word for ointment.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Cream came through Old French from Latin words meaning cream and ointment. en.wiktionary.org
The Latin word meaning ointment comes from Greek. en.wiktionary.org