cheddar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal (when meaning money).
Quick answer
What does “cheddar” mean?
A hard, pale yellow cheese originally from the English village of Cheddar, made from cow's milk.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hard, pale yellow cheese originally from the English village of Cheddar, made from cow's milk.
Informal term for money, especially cash. Also used to describe a specific orange colour resembling the cheese.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The cheese is equally common. The slang for 'money' is more established in American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, the cheese connotes a staple, versatile, sometimes basic food item. The money slang is casual and slightly dated.
Frequency
As a cheese name, high frequency in both. The slang usage is low-to-medium frequency, more common in US media/culture.
Grammar
How to Use “cheddar” in a Sentence
[adj] + cheddarcheddar + [noun]verb + cheddar (e.g., grate, melt, buy)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cheddar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cheesemaker will cheddar the curds to develop texture.
American English
- They cheddar the cheese for several hours before pressing.
adjective
British English
- She painted the wall a lovely cheddar colour.
American English
- He wore a cheddar-colored tie to the game.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the dairy/cheese industry: 'Cheddar exports rose by 5%.'
Academic
In food science/history: 'The cheddaring process is a key step in production.'
Everyday
Shopping/cooking: 'I need 200g of cheddar for the recipe.'
Technical
Cheesemaking: 'The curds are milled after cheddaring.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cheddar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cheddar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cheddar”
- Misspelling as 'chedder'.
- Using 'a cheddar' as a countable noun for a single piece (prefer 'a piece/slice of cheddar').
- Capitalising unnecessarily unless referring specifically to 'Cheddar' the place.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is only capitalised when referring specifically to Cheddar, the village in Somerset, England, or in the full traditional name 'Cheddar cheese'. In general usage ('a piece of cheddar'), it is lowercase.
Yes, but only in the technical context of cheesemaking. It refers to the 'cheddaring' process where curds are stacked and turned.
'Cheddar' is a specific, somewhat dated slang term for money, often implying a substantial amount. 'Cheese' is also slang for money but can be more general.
It is named after the characteristic pale to medium orange-yellow colour of the cheese, which can vary depending on whether annatto (a natural colouring) is added.
A hard, pale yellow cheese originally from the English village of Cheddar, made from cow's milk.
Cheddar is usually neutral to informal (when meaning money). in register.
Cheddar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃed.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃed.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Big cheese (slang for important person, unrelated etymologically)”
- “That's the cheddar! (rare, informal affirmation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Cheddar rhymes with 'better' – 'Cheddar is better on toast!'
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS FOOD (specifically, a staple commodity): 'He's making serious cheddar.'
Practice
Quiz
In informal American English, 'cheddar' can slangily refer to: