- a variation of doughnut.
donut
Americannoun
noun
Usage
Spelling tips for donut The word donut is hard to spell because it is a simplified spelling of the earlier doughnut. How to spell donut: The easiest way to spell donut is to break it into two parts: do - nut. As in, do nut (not) eat the last donut!
Compare meaning
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Explanation
A donut is a round, deep fried cake, usually with a hole in the center. Your favorite breakfast might be a chocolate donut and a cup of coffee. The word donut is primarily used in the US as an alternative spelling to "doughnut." Either way you spell it, a donut is a delicious, sweet treat that's often glazed or iced, and comes in different varieties, including donuts filled with jelly or cream. Donut historians disagree about the origin of the fried delicacy, although there's consensus that "dough-nuts" were first mentioned in print in 1808, while the donut spelling became popular about 100 years later.
Vocabulary lists containing donut
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.
Twelve months ago, both actors were anonymous Gen Z-ers who could have easily popped into Tim Hortons for a maple-glazed donut without causing a stir.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
Inspire Brands, which owns Massachusetts donut vendor Dunkin’ and casual-dining restaurant Arby’s among other chains, is another company exploring an IPO.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
On Thursday, Bloomberg reported that the device would be circular like a donut, about the size of a hockey puck, and cost between $300 and $400, with a launch planned for 2027.
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
Shares of Krispy Kreme were headed for a historic gain Thursday after the donut seller beat fourth-quarter profit expectations by the widest margin in years, and provided an upbeat sales growth outlook.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 26, 2026
When I finish eating my donut, I give Fuchsia’s bright pink, Sharpie-covered sneakers a kick.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
