cream

American  

[kreem] / krim /

noun

1. the fatty part of milk, which rises to the surface when the liquid is allowed to stand unless homogenized.

2. a soft solid or thick liquid containing medicaments or other specific ingredients, applied externally for a prophylactic, therapeutic, or cosmetic purpose.

3. Usually creams. a soft-centered confection of fondant or fudge coated with chocolate.

4. a purée or soup containing cream or milk.

   cream of tomato soup.

5. the best part of anything.

   the cream of society.

6. a yellowish white; light tint of yellow or buff.

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verb (used without object)

1. to form cream.

2. to froth; foam.

3. Informal. to advance or favor only the wealthiest, most skilled or talented, etc., especially so as to reap the benefits oneself.

   Management is creaming by advancing only the most productive workers.

4. Slang: Vulgar. Also cream one's jeans.

   1. to have an orgasm, especially to ejaculate or experience glandular lubrication of the vagina.

   2. to be overcome, as in rapturous admiration or delight.

verb (used with object)

1. to work (butter and sugar, or the like) to a smooth, creamy mass.

2. to prepare (chicken, oysters, vegetables, etc.) with cream, milk, or a cream sauce.

3. to allow (milk) to form cream.

4. to skim (milk).

5. to separate as cream.

6. to take the cream or best part of.

7. to use a cosmetic cream on.

8. to add cream to (tea, coffee, etc.).

9. Slang.

   1. to beat or damage severely; lambaste.

   2. to defeat decisively.

   3. to accomplish, especially to pass (a test or course), with great ease and success.

      She creamed the math test, getting the highest grade in the class.

adjective

1. of the color cream; cream-colored.

idioms

1. cream of the crop, the best or choicest.

   a college that accepts only students who are the cream of the crop.

cream British  

/ kriːm /

noun

1. 1. the fatty part of milk, which rises to the top if the milk is allowed to stand

   2. ( as modifier )

      cream buns

2. anything resembling cream in consistency

   shoe cream

   beauty cream

3. the best one or most essential part of something; pick

   the cream of the bunch

   the cream of the joke

4. a soup containing cream or milk

   cream of chicken soup

5. any of various dishes, cakes, biscuits, etc, resembling or containing cream

6. a confection made of fondant or soft fudge, often covered in chocolate

7. a full-bodied sweet sherry

8. 1. a yellowish-white colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      cream wallpaper

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verb

1. (tr) to skim or otherwise separate the cream from (milk)

2. (tr) to beat (foodstuffs, esp butter and sugar) to a light creamy consistency

3. (intr) to form cream

4. (tr) to add or apply cream or any creamlike substance to

   to cream one's face

   to cream coffee

5. to take away the best part of

6. (tr) to prepare or cook (vegetables, chicken, etc) with cream or milk

7. to allow (milk) to form a layer of cream on its surface or (of milk) to form such a layer

8. slang (tr) to beat thoroughly

9. slang (intr) (of a man) to ejaculate during orgasm

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• creamlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cream

1300–50; Middle English creme < Anglo-French, Old French cresme < Late Latin chrīsma chrism

Explanation

Cream is the part of milk that's especially rich, creamy, and fatty. Many people like to add cream to their coffee. Heavy cream can be whipped until it's thick, and light cream might be added to a soup or sauce to add richness. Another kind of cream is a thick lotion, like a skin cream or a night cream. When you cream ingredients together, you mix them until they're fluffy. Calling someone "the cream of the crop," means they're the very best at what they do, and when you cream someone in a game of tennis, you win easily.

Example Sentences

The shop sells soft-serve ice cream, bubble teas, and shakes.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

There are some great frozen cocktails on bar menus, like the mango-cilantro margarita & cream at Schmuck and Long Island Bar’s frozen cosmo.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

The general formula is simple: chopped pickles, cream cheese or sour cream, herbs, ranch seasoning, maybe shredded cheese, all whipped together into something aggressively scoopable.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

Outside the newsroom, she enjoys reading, soft-serve ice cream and spending time with her family.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Like the kind he and his mom used to splurge on when they had enough money, so thick you had to suck your cheeks in hard to get the ice cream through the straw.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

• jelly
• ointment
• paste