buttermilk

American  

[buht-er-milk] / ˈbʌt ərˌmɪlk /

noun

1. the more or less acidulous liquid remaining after butter has been separated from milk or cream.

2. a similar liquid made from whole or skim milk with the addition of a bacterial culture.

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buttermilk British  

/ ˈbʌtəˌmɪlk /

noun

1. the sourish liquid remaining after the butter has been separated from milk, often used for making scones and soda bread

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Etymology

Origin of buttermilk

First recorded in 1520–30; butter + milk

Example Sentences

Serve alongside your favorite condiments, whether that’s hot sauce or buttermilk ranch.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

The researchers found no association between dementia and consumption of low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, high- or low-fat milk, butter or fermented milk, which includes yogurt, kefir and buttermilk.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2025

So I kept things classic: white flour, white sugar, buttermilk — the quiet chorus of pastry fundamentals.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2025

For chicken nuggets, tortilla-based masa and jalapeño buttermilk coatings were the key.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 22, 2025

Packages of salted peanuts, buttermilk cookies, two pimiento-cheese sandwiches in plastic, sour balls, and a can of Red Rose snuff.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

Related Words

• cream
• half-and-half