American English

How to pronounce butter

noun · verbA2Common word
BUHder

/ˈbə.ɾɚ/

2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.

A soft, yellow food made from milk, used for spreading on bread and for cooking.

What to listen for

In American English, the middle “t” in “butter” often sounds like a quick “d”: /ˈbə.ɾɚ/.

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

noun

A soft, yellow food made from milk, used for spreading on bread and for cooking.

I put some butter on my toast.

Melt the butter in the pan.

Common phrases & grammar

melt butter · spread butter · a pat of butter · butter on toast

some + butter + on + [food]

[amount] + of + butter

verb

To put butter on food or in a pan before cooking.

Butter the bread while it is warm.

She buttered the pan before adding the eggs.

Common phrases & grammar

butter bread · butter toast · butter a pan

butter + [food]

[someone] + can + butter + [food]

Useful expressions

butter someone up

To praise someone too much because you want help or a favor.

He buttered his boss up before asking for a raise.

bread and butter

The main work or source of income that supports someone.

Teaching is her bread and butter.

Related words & forms

In buttering, the final t is doubled. The past forms are buttered.