Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

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.


cornstarch British  
/ ˈkɔːnˌstɑːtʃ /

noun

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

"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 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:

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.

Other ingredients include salt, monosodium glutamate, cornstarch and beta carotene for color.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company, which now makes its talcum powder with cornstarch, has denied the allegations.

From BBC

If you don’t, a tiny cornstarch slurry will bring it together in minutes.

From Salon

The pie's filling consists of sliced rhubarb and strawberries cooked in granulated sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg, and a pinch of fine sea salt.

From Salon

JSO has said its last protest – to be held at the end of April – will mark "the end of soup on Van Goghs, cornstarch on Stonehenge and slow marching in the streets".

From BBC