cream cheese

American  

noun

1. a soft, white, smooth-textured, unripened, spreadable cheese made of sweet milk and sometimes cream.

2. Gulf States. cottage cheese.

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cream cheese British  

noun

1. a smooth soft white cheese made from soured cream or milk

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Regionalisms

See cottage cheese.

Etymology

Origin of cream cheese

First recorded in 1575–85

Compare meaning

How does cream-cheese compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mascarpone vs. cream cheese
• cottage cheese vs. cream cheese

Example Sentences

The coconut was sweet and nutty, the cream cheese adding a gentle tang that kept the sugar in check.

From Salon

When the toaster dings, she brings my perfectly light brown bagel over with the cream cheese container and sits across from me.

From Literature

A vegan version works just as well: silken tofu or vegan cream cheese blended with coconut cream and a little berry jam, perfect with grapes or berries.

From Salon

Yesterday he had heard Lucca tell Israel that she didn’t really like her cream cheese sandwiches, and Israel had replied that he didn’t like the turkey one his mom always made.

From Literature

My favorite are the cucumber–cream cheese sandwiches on whole-grain bread.

From Literature