Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

cream of tartar

American  

noun

  1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C 4 H 5 KO 6 , used chiefly as an ingredient in baking powders and in galvanic tinning of metals.


cream of tartar British  

noun

  1. another name for potassium hydrogen tartrate, esp when used in baking powders

"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 cream of tartar

First recorded in 1655–65

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.

Add flour and mix well together, adding remainder of milk as required – also bicarbonate and cream of tartar.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2025

Use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment to beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed for 30 to 45 seconds until combined.

From Washington Times • May 16, 2023

To make the meringue, whip egg whites with cream of tartar using a mixer.

From Salon • May 11, 2023

A transparency tab lists ingredients — organic grapes, sulfites, cream of tartar, tartaric acid, yeast, yeast nutrients and organic cane sugar for sparkling wine.

From Washington Post • May 19, 2022

She ask about hard water stains and I tell her cream of tartar.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "cream of tartar" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com