Butter — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈbə-tər/ but·ter

Meaning & Definition of Butter

Butter (noun)

  1. a solid emulsion of fat globules, air, and water made by churning milk or cream and used as food
  2. a buttery substance
  3. any of various fatty oils remaining nearly solid at ordinary temperatures

Butter (verb)

  1. to spread with or as if with butter

Butter (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. excessive praise

    "a junior exec who was laying on the butter so thickly that her colleagues were ready to gag"

    similar: adulation, blarney, flannel (British), flattery, incense, overpraise, soft soap, sweet talk, taffy
    related: allurements, blandishments, endearments, caresses, compliments, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects, adoration, idolatry, worship, fawning, sycophancy, toadying, cajolement, cajolery, ingratiation, smarm, acclaim, applause, commendation, praise
    near: bad-mouthing, belittlement, depreciation, detraction, disparagement, put-down

Related Entry: Butter up (verb)

Butter up is a different word from Butter. The synonyms below are for butter up, not for butter.

  1. to praise too much

    "a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss"

    similar: adulate, belaud, blarney, flatter, hero-worship, honey, massage, overpraise, puff, soft-soap, stroke
    related: blandish, cajole, coax, sweet-talk, wheedle, fawn, kowtow, suck (up to), toady, idolize, worship, eulogize, extol, laud, praise, applaud, commend, compliment, congratulate, felicitate, drool, gush, slaver, slobber, endear, ingratiate, court, romance, woo
    near: bad-mouth, belittle, decry, depreciate, disparage, put down

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Butter

The most common words with a similar meaning to Butter:

British: flannel
adulation, blarney, flattery, incense, overpraise, soft soap, sweet talk, taffy

Related Words for Butter

allurements, blandishments, endearments, caresses, compliments, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects, adoration, idolatry, worship, fawning, sycophancy, toadying, cajolement, cajolery, ingratiation, smarm, acclaim, applause, commendation, praise

Near Antonyms of Butter

bad-mouthing, belittlement, depreciation, detraction, disparagement, put-down

Word Forms of Butter

Inflections: buttered, buttering, butters

Derived words: butterless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Butter

Middle English, from Old English butere, from Latin butyrum, from Greek boutyron, from bous cow + tyros cheese; akin to Avestan tūiri- curds cow

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Butter

Words & Phrases Containing Butter

butter-and-eggs, butter bean, butter clam, butter cookie, butter lettuce, butter up, butter knife, butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth

Frequently Asked Questions about Butter

What does "Butter" mean?

"Butter" means a solid emulsion of fat globules, air, and water made by churning milk or cream and used as food. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a solid emulsion of fat globules, air, and water made by churning milk or cream and used as food.

What is another word for "Butter"?

Other words for "Butter" include adulation, blarney, flannel, flattery, incense, overpraise, soft soap and sweet talk. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Butter" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Butter"?

There are 33 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Butter". Common alternatives include adulation, blarney, flannel, flattery, incense, overpraise, soft soap, sweet talk and taffy.

How do you use "Butter" in a sentence?

Examples of "Butter" in a sentence: "a junior exec who was laying on the butter so thickly that her colleagues were ready to gag".

Is "Butter" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Butter" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Butter" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Butter" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Butter"?

"Butter" is pronounced /ˈbə-tər/ and divided into syllables as but·ter.

What is the origin of the word "Butter"?

"Butter" comes from Middle English, from Old English butere, from Latin butyrum, from Greek boutyron, from bous cow + tyros cheese; akin to Avestan tūiri- curds cow. First known use: before 12th century.