cream
cream
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling and Syllable Breakdown:
cream /kriːm/
Syllable 1: /kriːm/
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/iː/ - long close front unrounded vowel
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: cream
Plural Noun: creams
Verb (base form): cream
Verb (third-person singular present): creams
Verb (present participle): creaming
Verb (past tense/past participle): creamed
Adjective: cream (e.g., "cream cheese," "cream color")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The fatty part of milk which rises to the surface; it is a rich, yellowish-white liquid often used in cooking or as a topping.
Synonyms: dairy fat, milk fat
Antonyms: skim milk, whey
Definition 2: A thick, soft, or viscous preparation, often for cosmetic or medicinal use, applied to the skin.
Synonyms: lotion, balm, ointment, salve, emulsion
Antonyms: (none readily available as a direct opposite)
Definition 3: The very best or most excellent part of something; the choicest element.
Synonyms: elite, prime, pick, best, top, choicest
Antonyms: dregs, worst, bottom, refuse
Verb
Definition 1: To beat or stir (a substance, especially butter and sugar) until it is light, fluffy, and smooth.
Synonyms: whip, blend, beat, emulsify
Antonyms: curdle, separate
Definition 2: To form a creamy layer or froth on the surface.
Synonyms: froth, foam, churn
Antonyms: flatten, settle
Definition 3: (Informal) To utterly defeat or overwhelm someone or something.
Synonyms: crush, defeat, conquer, clobber, thrash
Antonyms: lose, fail, surrender, yield
Adjective
Definition 1: Having the light yellowish-white color of cream.
Synonyms: off-white, ivory, beige, ecru
Antonyms: dark, black, vibrant (depending on context)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He poured himself a generous cup of coffee, adding a splash of cream and two lumps of sugar." (From The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1911)
"The cream of the crop, they called themselves, and indeed, their performances were unmatched." (From Circe by Madeline Miller, April 2018)
Newspapers:
"Local dairy farmers are concerned about rising production costs impacting the price of fresh cream." (The Daily Nation)
"The city's finest chefs gathered for a competition, showcasing the cream of culinary talent." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"How to make the perfect homemade whipped cream for your desserts." (Serious Eats)
"The article explored the challenges of separating the wheat from the chaff, or rather, the cream from the milk, in the burgeoning tech startup scene." (TechCrunch)
"Our beauty editor reviews the latest anti-aging cream that promises to revitalize your skin." (Vogue.com)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: A character in the movie Julie & Julia (August 2009) is shown creaming butter and sugar together for a cake recipe.
Television: In an episode of The Great British Baking Show (Season 12, September 2021), contestants are frequently instructed to "cream together" ingredients.
Music: The lyrics of the song "Cream" by Prince (March 1991) use the word metaphorically to refer to excellence or the best.
Video Games: A common power-up in many platformer games might be referred to as "the cream of the crop" for its superior ability. (e.g., in a fictional review of a new game release, "Finding the legendary weapon made us feel like we'd finally gotten the cream.")
General Public Discourse:
"Can I get a coffee with extra cream, please?" (Heard in a coffee shop)
"We really creamed them in the basketball game last night, it was a landslide victory!" (Spoken by a sports fan)
"You need to apply sunscreen cream every few hours when you're out in the sun." (Advice given by a parent)
10 Quotes Using Cream
"I like my coffee black, like my metal, but sometimes with a little cream." (Dave Mustaine)
"The cream always rises to the top." (Irish Proverb)
"Life is like a cup of coffee. It's how you make it, not how you take it, that matters. So, pour in some cream and enjoy." (Unknown)
"You are the cream in my coffee." (Song lyric, "You're the Cream in My Coffee" by Buddy G. DeSylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson, 1928)
"A woman needs three things: a good man, good shoes, and a good face cream." (Unknown)
"We are the cream of the crop." (Often attributed to military or elite groups)
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream." (Popular rhyme/song, 1927)
"Purity is the cream of a woman's virtue." (Unknown)
"The cream of society." (Common idiom)
"Put some cream on it, it'll feel better." (Common parental advice)
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cream
The cream of the crop: The best of a group; the elite.
Cream of the crop marketing: Focusing marketing efforts on the most promising customers or products.
To cream someone/something: To thoroughly defeat or beat someone or something.
To cream off: To take the best part of something for oneself.
Cream always rises to the top: Talent and quality will eventually be recognized.
Cream of the jest: The funniest part of a joke.
Cream of the news: The most important or significant news stories.
To cream one's pants: (Slang, vulgar) To become extremely excited or aroused.
Like cream and coffee: A perfect, harmonious blend (original).
To skim the cream: To take the best part (similar to "cream off").
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Eagle
Eagles are more often used as metaphors for strength, vision, or freedom. However, here are some phrases and idioms that use "eagle" or similar concepts:
"Eagle eyes": This describes someone with very sharp eyesight, like an eagle.
"Soar like an eagle": This idiom encourages someone to reach great heights, achieve ambitious goals, or experience freedom and independence.
"Have an eagle's eye for detail": Similar to "eagle eyes," this emphasizes someone's keen observation and ability to spot small things.
"Rise like an eagle": This idiom suggests overcoming challenges and achieving success, much like an eagle ascending into the sky.
Here's why there might not be many idioms directly using "eagle":
Eagles are symbols: Eagles are powerful symbols, so their meaning is often conveyed through metaphors and comparisons rather than direct idioms.
Less common in everyday speech: Compared to animals like dogs or cats, eagles are less common in everyday life, leading to fewer idioms directly related to them.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cream from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
