blanche: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Culinary/Name
Quick answer
What does “blanche” mean?
To turn white.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To turn white; to whiten or bleach.
A feminine given name; a French surname. In cooking, a technique of briefly scalding vegetables or fruits in boiling water.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The culinary use is slightly more common in British English due to traditional recipe phrasing. The verb 'to blanch' is the standard spelling for the action in all contexts.
Connotations
The name 'Blanche' may have older, genteel connotations. The culinary term is neutral.
Frequency
As a common noun/verb, 'blanch' is used. 'Blanche' as a standalone word is very infrequent outside of names or historical/literary texts.
Grammar
How to Use “blanche” in a Sentence
[proper noun][subject] blanches [object] (culinary)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blanche” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Before freezing, you should blanche the green beans.
- The sudden shock made her blanche.
American English
- Blanche the peaches to make peeling them easier.
- He didn't even blanche at the outrageous cost.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Rare, possibly in historical or literary studies (e.g., Blanche of Castile).
Everyday
Almost exclusively as a person's name.
Technical
Common in culinary writing, though usually as the verb 'blanch'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blanche”
- Using 'blanche' as a common verb instead of 'blanch'.
- Capitalising it when referring to the cooking technique.
- Mispronouncing it as /blæntʃ/ or /blɑːntʃ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, as a standalone common word it is very rare. It is most frequently encountered as a proper name (e.g., Blanche DuBois) or in its verb form 'blanch'.
'Blanch' is the standard infinitive form of the verb (to blanch). 'Blanche' can be: 1) a proper noun (name), 2) a rare/archaic verb form, or 3) the imperative form in French/culinary contexts (e.g., "Blanche les haricots").
In British English, it's /blɑːnʃ/ (like 'blaanch'). In American English, it's /blænʃ/ (like 'blanch' with a short 'a').
Not in standard modern English. The adjective form is 'white' or 'blanched'. In French, 'blanche' is the feminine form of the adjective 'white'.
To turn white.
Blanche is usually formal/culinary/name in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Blanche' like 'blank' or 'blanc' (French for white) – it relates to whiteness.
Conceptual Metaphor
WHITENESS IS PURITY/EMPTINESS (in its verb sense); A NAME IS AN IDENTITY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common contemporary use of the word 'Blanche'?