butterscotch

American  

[buht-er-skoch] / ˈbʌt ərˌskɒtʃ /

noun

1. a flavor produced in puddings, frostings, ice cream, etc., by combining brown sugar, vanilla extract, and butter with other ingredients.

2. a hard, brittle taffy made with butter, brown sugar, etc.

3. a golden brown color.

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adjective

1. having the flavor of butterscotch.

butterscotch British  

/ ˈbʌtəˌskɒtʃ /

noun

1. a kind of hard brittle toffee made with butter, brown sugar, etc

2. 1. a flavouring made from these ingredients

   2. ( as modifier )

      butterscotch icing

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Etymology

Origin of butterscotch

First recorded in 1850–55; earlier also butterscot; the 2nd element of the compound is unexplained

Example Sentences

The cake had a butterscotch frosting, which was brown and thus “weird.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Its basic dough is close to my favorite oatmeal raisin iteration, full of dark brown sugar for butterscotch notes and crisp, caramelized edges.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 21, 2024

A butterscotch leather trench coat from the 1970s that fit one buyer perfectly sold for $100.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2023

The chain also will offer new milkshake, which features Chick-fil-A soft serve ice cream, butterscotch caramel flavoring and blondie crumbles.

From Washington Times • Aug. 16, 2023

Denise lost control of her butterscotch pudding, and it slithered down her leg.

From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett