froth

American  

[frawth, froth] / frɔθ, frɒθ /

noun

1. an aggregation of bubbles, as on an agitated liquid or at the mouth of a hard-driven horse; foam; spume.

2. a foam of saliva or fluid resulting from disease.

3. something unsubstantial, trivial, or evanescent.

   The play was a charming bit of froth.

   Synonyms:

   nonsense, fluff, frivolity, triviality

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verb (used with object)

1. to cover with froth.

   giant waves frothing the sand.

2. to cause to foam.

   to froth egg whites with a whisk.

3. to emit like froth.

   a demagogue frothing his hate.

verb (used without object)

1. to give out froth; foam.

   frothing at the mouth.

froth British  

/ frɒθ /

noun

1. a mass of small bubbles of air or a gas in a liquid, produced by fermentation, detergent, etc

2. a mixture of saliva and air bubbles formed at the lips in certain diseases, such as rabies

3. trivial ideas, talk, or entertainment

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verb

1. to produce or cause to produce froth

2. (tr) to give out in the form of froth

3. (tr) to cover with froth

Other Word Forms

• frother
  noun
• frothily
  adverb
• frothiness
  noun
• frothy
  adjective
• outfroth
  verb (used with object)
• unfrothed
  adjective
• unfrothing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of froth

1350–1400; Middle English frothe < Old Norse frotha froth, scum

Explanation

Froth is the gathering of small bubbles at the top of a drink, like the fizzy froth on the top of your root beer float. There's usually froth on the surface of soda, beer, and even coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, which are topped with milk froth. You can use the word froth as a verb as well, to mean "fizz or foam up." Liquid soap might froth in your hands as you wash them, for example, and making candy sometimes involves cooking sugar syrup until it starts to froth. The word most likely comes from an Old Norse root, froða, or "froth."

Example Sentences

Froth continues to be taken off equities, particularly growth sectors.

From Reuters • Feb. 12, 2023

Zachary Reid, who opened Froth & Forage outside of Anchorage in May, is serving up inventive comfort food that pops with color and flavor.

From New York Times • Oct. 30, 2017

The previous record for heaviest fish on fly was a 356 lb. goliath grouper caught by Bart Froth in 1967.

From Time Magazine Archive

May I further add, that there have been no changes whatsoever in the personnel of the "Froth" staff, as a result of action aroused by the mentioned issue.

From Time Magazine Archive

"And how call ye the poem?" inquired Froth, as young Shakespeare finished the second verse, and then thrust the paper into the breast of his doublet.

From William Shakespeare as he lived. An Historical Tale by Curling, Henry

Related Words

• foam
• scum