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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

Dotting or streaking the batter with apple butter introduces a punch of deep, spiced fruit flavor.

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

Next the beast knocked over a jar of apple butter, but the skin lid was tied on tightly, and, flail away at it as he might with his awkward paw, he could not dislodge it.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson

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