corn bread: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, culinary
Quick answer
What does “corn bread” mean?
A type of bread made primarily from cornmeal (ground maize).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of bread made primarily from cornmeal (ground maize).
A savory, quick bread, often leavened with baking powder/soda, typically baked in a pan. It's a staple food in Southern US cuisine and can vary in texture from dense and crumbly to light and cake-like.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The dish is native to North America and is far more prevalent, culturally significant, and commonly eaten in the US, especially the South. In the UK, it is known primarily as an American food item, encountered in international recipes or restaurants. British dictionaries often define it specifically as 'US'.
Connotations
In US English, it connotes Southern, rustic, home-style, or traditional cooking. In UK English, it primarily connotes 'American food' without specific regional or cultural nuance.
Frequency
High frequency in US English, particularly in culinary and regional contexts. Low frequency in UK English, outside of specific discussions of American cuisine.
Grammar
How to Use “corn bread” in a Sentence
[verb] + corn bread: eat, make, bake, serve, crumblecorn bread + [verb]: cools, crumbles, goes well withadjective + corn bread: hot, sweet, savory, crumbly, homemadeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corn bread” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To 'cornbread' is not a standard verb.
American English
- To 'cornbread' is not a standard verb.
adjective
British English
- The corn bread recipe is simple.
- She bought a corn bread mix.
American English
- Pass the corn bread muffin, please.
- We're having corn bread dressing with the turkey.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like restaurant menus, food manufacturing, or agricultural trade.
Academic
Appears in historical, cultural, or culinary studies focusing on American or indigenous foodways.
Everyday
Common in home cooking, recipe discussions, and restaurant ordering, especially in the US.
Technical
Used in food science regarding grain composition, leavening agents, and baking techniques.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corn bread”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corn bread”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corn bread”
- Using 'corn bread' as a countable noun in all contexts (e.g., 'I ate three corn breads' sounds odd; better: 'three pieces of corn bread').
- Pronouncing 'corn' with a strong /r/ in non-rhotic (British) accents, where it may sound like 'cawn bread'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Corncake' is a less specific term and can refer to a thicker, pancake-like patty fried in a pan. Corn bread is typically baked in an oven in a single loaf or skillet.
This is a major regional distinction in the US. Northern-style corn bread often includes sugar or honey, making it sweeter and more cakelike. Traditional Southern corn bread uses little to no sugar, resulting in a more savory, crumbly bread.
Yes. While many recipes use a combination of cornmeal and wheat flour for structure, traditional 'hot water cornbread' or some gluten-free recipes use 100% cornmeal.
It can be part of a balanced diet. Cornmeal provides fibre and nutrients, but the healthiness depends on added ingredients like sugar, fat (butter/oil), and sodium. It is naturally gluten-free if made without wheat flour.
A type of bread made primarily from cornmeal (ground maize).
Corn bread is usually informal, culinary in register.
Corn bread: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːn bred/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːrn bred/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the main grain: CORN. It's BREAD made from CORNmeal.
Conceptual Metaphor
"COMFORT IS HOME-MADE FOOD" (e.g., 'Nothing says comfort like a warm slice of corn bread').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'corn bread' LEAST likely to be mentioned?