buttermilk

American  

[buht-er-milk] / ˈbʌt ərˌmɪlk /

noun

• buttermilks
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• buttermilks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of buttermilk

First recorded in 1520–30; butter + milk

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

buttermilk buttermilks

This summer, though, I’ve been turning them into a chilled blueberry soup with yogurt and buttermilk.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

The practice of ranching can be traced back about 75 years to the man who had a brilliant idea to combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, herbs and spices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Unlike bleach and wipes, a product made of buttermilk and mayo is not exactly designed for mass consumption.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Shortcut: Replace the buttermilk powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dill and parsley with 1 packet of ranch seasoning, then add black pepper and red pepper to taste.

From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026

Even though I could imagine biting into fluffy buttermilk pancakes, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and a dribbling of warm maple syrup, my mouth tightened with bitterness.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

At home, he and his girlfriend would walk to the Sleepy Bee Cafe for the plain buttermilks on match days.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2023

Lucindy'd better fix up a lunch for two—a couple of biscuits an' a couple of buttermilks.

From The Bishop and the Boogerman by Joel Chandler Harris

The preparation of the pure culture buttermilks or artificially soured milks that are now so frequently recommended for digestive troubles rests upon an acid fermentation of this type.

From Outlines of dairy bacteriology A concise manual for the use of students in dairying by Edwin George Hastings

Artificial buttermilks therefore prove a valuable source of food supply for persons who find them palatable and who do not care for sweet milk.

From Woman's Institute Library of Cookery Volume 2: Milk, Butter and Cheese; Eggs; Vegetables by Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

"Why, ef you've got a jar full, thar must be mighty nigh a dozen buttermilks in it."

From The Bishop and the Boogerman by Joel Chandler Harris

Related Words

• cream
• half-and-half