cornbread: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, with strong informal, culinary, and cultural associations.
Quick answer
What does “cornbread” mean?
A type of bread made from cornmeal, typically baked and associated with traditional American cooking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of bread made from cornmeal, typically baked and associated with traditional American cooking.
A culturally significant food often associated with Southern or soul food cuisine, comfort food, or historical sustenance; used metaphorically to denote something simple, traditional, or rustic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Cornbread' is a standard term in American English. In British English, it is understood primarily as an Americanism. The British culinary equivalent might be described as 'maize bread' or 'polenta bread', but these are not common items.
Connotations
In US: Rustic, traditional, Southern, hearty. In UK: Foreign, specifically American, possibly exotic or unfamiliar.
Frequency
Very high frequency in American English (especially in culinary/regional contexts). Very low frequency in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “cornbread” in a Sentence
[Verb] + cornbread: bake, make, serve, eat, crumble.[Adjective] + cornbread: sweet cornbread, hot cornbread, leftover cornbread.[Noun] + cornbread: piece of cornbread, slice of cornbread, recipe for cornbread.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cornbread” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific contexts like restaurant menus, food marketing, or agricultural trade.
Academic
Rare, may appear in historical, cultural, or anthropological studies of American foodways.
Everyday
Common in American English, especially in culinary and regional discussions.
Technical
Used in culinary arts, recipe writing, and food science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cornbread”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cornbread”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cornbread”
- Spelling as two words: 'corn bread' (acceptable but less common as a compound).
- Confusing it with 'corn muffin', which is a specific, individual portion.
- Assuming it is universally known outside North America.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be either. Northern US styles often add sugar, making it sweeter and more cake-like. Traditional Southern cornbread is usually savory, with little to no sugar.
Cornmeal, which is dried and ground maize (corn). It is typically combined with flour, a liquid (like milk or buttermilk), eggs, and a leavening agent.
No, they are similar but different forms. Cornbread is usually baked in a pan and cut into squares or wedges. Corn muffins are individual portions baked in a muffin tin, often sweeter and more cake-like.
It is not a traditional British food, so it is less common. You may find it in American-style restaurants, barbecue spots, or larger supermarkets with international food sections.
A type of bread made from cornmeal, typically baked and associated with traditional American cooking.
Cornbread is usually neutral, with strong informal, culinary, and cultural associations. in register.
Cornbread: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːnbrɛd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːrnbrɛd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[US, informal] 'He doesn't know which side his cornbread is buttered on.' (He doesn't understand where his advantage lies.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CORN (the main ingredient) + BREAD (the food type). It's 'bread made from corn'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CORNBRED IS TRADITION / SIMPLICITY / RUSTIC HOSPITALITY (e.g., 'cornbread common sense').
Practice
Quiz
In which cuisine is cornbread a traditional staple?