cream

[ kreem ]

noun

1. the fatty part of milk, which rises to the surface when the liquid is allowed to stand unless homogenized.
2. a soft solid or thick liquid containing medicaments or other specific ingredients, applied externally for a prophylactic, therapeutic, or cosmetic purpose.
3. Usually creams. a soft-centered confection of fondant or fudge coated with chocolate.
4. a purée or soup containing cream or milk:

   cream of tomato soup.

5. the best part of anything:

   the cream of society.

6. a yellowish white; light tint of yellow or buff.

verb (used without object)

1. to form cream.
2. to froth; foam.
3. Informal. to advance or favor only the wealthiest, most skilled or talented, etc., especially so as to reap the benefits oneself:

   Management is creaming by advancing only the most productive workers.

4. Also cream one's jeans. Slang: Vulgar.
   1. to have an orgasm, especially to ejaculate or experience glandular lubrication of the vagina.
   2. to be overcome, as in rapturous admiration or delight.

verb (used with object)

1. to work (butter and sugar, or the like) to a smooth, creamy mass.
2. to prepare (chicken, oysters, vegetables, etc.) with cream, milk, or a cream sauce.
3. to allow (milk) to form cream.
4. to skim (milk).
5. to separate as cream.
6. to take the cream or best part of.
7. to use a cosmetic cream on.
8. to add cream to (tea, coffee, etc.).
9. Slang.
   1. to beat or damage severely; lambaste.
   2. to defeat decisively.
   3. to accomplish, especially to pass (a test or course), with great ease and success:

      She creamed the math test, getting the highest grade in the class.

adjective

1. of the color cream; cream-colored.

cream

/ kriːm /

noun

1. 1. the fatty part of milk, which rises to the top if the milk is allowed to stand
   2. ( as modifier )

      cream buns

2. anything resembling cream in consistency

   beauty cream

   shoe cream

3. the best one or most essential part of something; pick

   the cream of the joke

   the cream of the bunch

4. a soup containing cream or milk

   cream of chicken soup

5. any of various dishes, cakes, biscuits, etc, resembling or containing cream
6. a confection made of fondant or soft fudge, often covered in chocolate
7. cream sherry
   a full-bodied sweet sherry
8. 1. a yellowish-white colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      cream wallpaper

verb

1. tr to skim or otherwise separate the cream from (milk)
2. tr to beat (foodstuffs, esp butter and sugar) to a light creamy consistency
3. intr to form cream
4. tr to add or apply cream or any creamlike substance to

   to cream one's face

   to cream coffee

5. trsometimes foll byoff to take away the best part of
6. tr to prepare or cook (vegetables, chicken, etc) with cream or milk
7. to allow (milk) to form a layer of cream on its surface or (of milk) to form such a layer
8. slang.
   tr to beat thoroughly
9. slang.
   intr (of a man) to ejaculate during orgasm

Derived Forms

• ˈcreamˌlike, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cream¹

1300–50; Middle English creme < Anglo-French, Old French cresme < Late Latin chrīsma chrism

Word History and Origins

Origin of cream¹

C14: from Old French cresme, from Late Latin crāmum cream, of Celtic origin; influenced by Church Latin chrisma unction, chrism

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cream of the crop, the best or choicest:

   a college that accepts only students who are the cream of the crop.

Example Sentences

“This is a big win — and we’ll be celebrating with ice cream! — but copyright law still needs fixing before we’re free to fix everything we own.”

From Salon

“Butter lists cream, but may be missing the Contains Milk statement,” the FDA wrote.

From Salon

Steeped in Gothic and Renaissance-era references, Bernad’s romantic designs feature almost exclusively antique lace and crochet in shades of cream and ivory, and sometimes black or the softest pink.

From Los Angeles Times

He also runs a successful ice cream business which supplies hotels and restaurants across the county.

From BBC

The cream of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue was sent to a property in Ketton, Rutland, on Monday after the cow "checked herself in for a spa day".

From BBC

Related Words

• jelly
• ointment
• paste