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apple butter

American

noun

apples stewed to a paste, spiced, sometimes sweetened, and served as a spread or condiment.

apple butter British

noun

a jam made from stewed spiced apples

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of apple butter

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It involves a few extra steps—making almond frangipane, apple butter and apple glaze—but they’re what makes this the best galette I’ve ever tasted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

Smucker, based in Orrville, Ohio, was founded in 1897 as a maker of apple butter.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025

Serve with whipped cream and an extra dollop of apple butter.

From Salon • Sep. 27, 2025

Asked what her favourite preserve is she replies: "My grandmother used to make apple butter so I like that, it's connected to something sentimental."

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

I was bringing sandwiches made of apple butter on bread ends to school for lunch.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023