colby

American

[kohl-bee] / ˈkoʊl bi /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

a mild, cheddar-type cheese that is softer and more open in texture than standard cheddar.

Colby British

/ ˈkɒlbɪ /

noun

(sometimes not capital) a type of mild-tasting hard cheese

"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 colby

First recorded in 1940–45; apparently after a proper name

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.

I sneak some cream cheese into the sauce, havarti, sharp cheddar, Gouda, mozzarella and colby jack.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2023

It was so unlike the ham sandwich I had grown up with, which was made on a soft grocery-store baguette and contained mayonnaise, ham and colby cheese.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2022

Try colby Jack, cheddar or small chunks of feta.

From Washington Post • Jul. 12, 2022

The measure makes colby, which was created in Wisconsin more than 100 years ago, the official cheese.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 7, 2021

Sprinkle 1/2 cup colby jack over the top.

From Washington Times • Aug. 13, 2018

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