cornstarch

American  

[kawrn-stahrch] / ˈkɔrnˌstɑrtʃ /

noun

1. a starch or a starchy flour made from corn and used for thickening gravies and sauces, making puddings, etc.

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cornstarch British  

/ ˈkɔːnˌstɑːtʃ /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): cornflour.  a fine starchy maize flour, used esp for thickening sauces

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Etymology

Origin of cornstarch

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; corn ¹ + starch

Compare meaning

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

• cornmeal vs. cornstarch

Example Sentences

Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, but you can also use arrowroot starch/powder, which will create a super fine, super smooth sugar.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2022

"Cornstarch makes it crispy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside," she said.

From Fox News • Sep. 17, 2021

Cornstarch in the filling won’t distract from the fruit’s flavor, and thickens its juices, but not so much that they won’t bubble up along the edges.

From Washington Post • Jul. 13, 2021

Cornstarch mixed with a little water is peculiar stuff.

From Scientific American • Feb. 13, 2014

Cornstarch was wet milling’s first product back in the 1840s.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan