teacake

American

[tee-keyk] / ˈtiˌkeɪk /

noun

a small cake, cookie, tart, or the like, for serving with tea or punch.
(in England) a light, flat, sweet cake with raisins, usually buttered and served hot with tea.

teacake British

/ ˈtiːˌkeɪk /

noun

a flat cake made from a yeast dough with raisins in it, usually eaten toasted and buttered

"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 teacake

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; tea + 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.

Juliet Campbell, of Bradleys Coffee Shop, said customers were eating teacake instead of sandwiches and drinking smaller coffees.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2022

But further festivities are planned in the form of a teacake, said Mrs Dumbleton's daughter, Chris Bemand.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2022

They include Tunnock's teacake dresses from the opening ceremony, flags, bagpipes and banners from the venues.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 2014

The white Formica-topped tables, linoleum and wood panelling deliver an almost exquisite melancholy, immediately punctured by maybe the purchase of an ice-cream shake and a toasted teacake.

From The Guardian • May 26, 2014

“Who ever heard of uh teacake bein’ called Mister!

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023