cornstarch

[ kawrn-stahrch ]

/ ˈkɔrnˌstɑrtʃ /

Save This Word!

noun

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

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also called, especially British, corn flour.

Origin of cornstarch

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; corn¹ + starch

Words nearby cornstarch

corn smut, corn snake, corn snow, corn stack, cornstalk, cornstarch, cornstick, cornstone, corn sugar, corn syrup, cornu

How to use cornstarch in a sentence

I failed to ask him how much cornstarch to use, so I just eyeballed it.
Why you should—or shouldn’t—DIY discontinued Hot Pockets|Purbita Saha|August 14, 2021|Popular-Science
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt until combined.
This sour cherry pie is summer’s ultimate dessert|Daniela Galarza|July 13, 2021|Washington Post
Whisk in the cornstarch and salt, then slowly whisk in the milk.
Make lemon pudding with blueberry whipped cream your next dinner party dessert|Adam Roberts|June 4, 2021|Washington Post
To cut the mozzarella, dust a knife with cornstarch so it doesn’t stick.
Chef Nyesha Arrington’s Easy Recipe for Homemade Totino’s Pizza Rolls|Eater Video|May 19, 2021|Eater

Composed of cornstarch, water, and food coloring, oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning that its viscosity changes under pressure.
Wonder woman|Christina Couch, SM ’15|April 28, 2021|MIT Technology Review
In a medium bowl, whisk the cornstarch and sugar to combine.
Daniel Boulud Reveals His 4 Favorite Recipes From His New Cookbook|Daniel Boulud|October 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When HFCS is made from cornstarch, the fructose molecules are not bound to other sugar molecules.
The Fight Over High-Fructose Corn Syrup|Sharon Begley|February 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Mix cornstarch, salt and sugar with a little cold milk; add to well-beaten egg; then add slowly to hot milk.
The New Dr. Price Cookbook|Anonymous
Mix cornstarch, sugar and salt and cocoa if used together with a little of the cold milk.
The New Dr. Price Cookbook|Anonymous
Cook jelly with water, fruit and sugar; add cornstarch which has been mixed with a little cold water.
The New Dr. Price Cookbook|Anonymous
Betsey first grated the chocolate and mixed it well with the cornstarch and sugar, then added, gradually, the sour milk.
A Little Candy Book for a Little Girl|Amy L. Waterman
Add a tablespoonful of cornstarch, dissolved in a little cold water and mix well.
My Pet Recipes, Tried and True|Various

British Dictionary definitions for cornstarch

cornstarch

/ (ˈkɔːnˌstɑːtʃ) /

noun

US and Canadian a fine starchy maize flour, used esp for thickening saucesAlso called (in Britain and certain other countries): cornflour

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