Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

shortcake

American  
[shawrt-kayk] / ˈʃɔrtˌkeɪk /

noun

  1. a cake made with a relatively large amount of butter or other shortening.

  2. a dessert made of short, sometimes sweetened, biscuit dough baked or split in layers, with a filling or topping of strawberries or other fruit.


shortcake British  
/ ˈʃɔːtˌkeɪk /

noun

  1. a kind of shortbread made from a rich biscuit dough

  2. a dessert made of layers of shortcake filled with fruit and cream

"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 shortcake

First recorded in 1585–95; short + cake


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.

See Examples For:

A few years ago he supported colleagues in a similarly contentious bid to make the strawberry shortcake the official state dessert.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

It was a simple take on a strawberry shortcake, with rich yellow butter cake layered with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2024

Takashimaya's strawberry shortcake has layers of chiffon and fresh strawberries, covered in white icing that is carefully piped to resemble the frilled hem of a dress.

From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2023

Thus, the Japanese ichigo shotokeki, or winter strawberry shortcake, was born.

From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2023

Ishmael walked beside his father past the concession booths where shortcake, bagged popcorn, and caramel apples were sold and down toward the displays of strawberries.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com