cheesecloth

American  

[cheez-klawth, -kloth] / ˈtʃizˌklɔθ, -ˌklɒθ /

noun

1. a lightweight cotton fabric of open texture.

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cheesecloth British  

/ ˈtʃiːzˌklɒθ /

noun

1. a loosely woven cotton cloth formerly used only for wrapping cheese

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Etymology

Origin of cheesecloth

First recorded in 1650–60; so called because first used to wrap cheese

Compare meaning

How does cheesecloth compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cheesecloth vs. muslin

Explanation

The loosely woven fabric that's useful for straining food is called cheesecloth. You can thicken yogurt by wrapping it in cheesecloth and setting it in a colander for a few hours. Cheesecloth gets its name from its most common use, in cheesemaking. The gauze-like material is perfect for allowing moisture, or whey, to run out of cheese curds, leaving solid cheese behind. Cheesecloth is also useful in many other ways, both in the kitchen (covering food, straining soup) and out (wiping ink during the printmaking process, making lightweight clothing).

Example Sentences

Cheesecloth will be enough for some mixes, but you might want to use something finer, like a coffee filter, for others.

From Washington Post • Jan. 16, 2015

Cheesecloth, not heavy cloth, would be better than glass, so far as the sun is concerned.

From One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered by Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James)

Cheesecloth is the softest, most pliable material, and the most easily managed.

From Patriotic Plays and Pageants for Young People by Mackay, Constance D'Arcy

Cheesecloth is cheap, and can be burned or otherwise disposed of after using.

From What a Young Woman Ought to Know by Wood-Allen, Mary

Cheesecloth, scrim, aurora cloth, pongee, linen, and velours, are a few of the materials that can be used.

From Furnishing the Home of Good Taste A Brief Sketch of the Period Styles in Interior Decoration with Suggestions as to Their Employment in the Homes of Today by Throop, Lucy Abbot