cornmeal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Culinary, Everyday (in relevant cultures), Technical (agriculture/culinary arts)
Quick answer
What does “cornmeal” mean?
Coarse flour made by grinding dried maize (corn) kernels.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Coarse flour made by grinding dried maize (corn) kernels.
A staple food ingredient, especially in baking and bread-making, which can also refer to similar products made from other grains (e.g., rye meal). In a broader culinary sense, it is the primary ingredient for dishes like polenta (coarse) or cornbread (fine).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'corn' historically refers to any cereal grain (e.g., wheat). Therefore, 'cornmeal' is understood but specified as 'maize meal' or 'polenta' for clarity. In American English, 'corn' defaults to maize, making 'cornmeal' the standard term.
Connotations
In the US, it has strong connotations of traditional, Southern, or Native American cuisine. In the UK, it is perceived as an imported or specialist ingredient, often associated with American or Italian cooking.
Frequency
High frequency in American English, especially in culinary/agricultural contexts. Lower frequency in British English, where alternatives like 'polenta' (for coarse meal) are more common in recipes.
Grammar
How to Use “cornmeal” in a Sentence
[cornmeal] + [verb: is used/forms/makes][verb: add/sprinkle/combine] + [cornmeal][adjective: coarse/fine] + [cornmeal]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cornmeal” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cornmeal coating gave the fish a lovely crunch.
- She prefers cornmeal porridge for breakfast.
American English
- We need a cornmeal base for this pizza.
- The cornmeal batter is ready for the skillet.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In agricultural commodity trading or food manufacturing supply chains.
Academic
In studies of agricultural history, nutrition, or food science.
Everyday
In recipes, shopping lists, or discussions about baking cornbread, coating for frying, or making porridge.
Technical
In milling specifications, nutritional labelling, or culinary textbook ingredient lists.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cornmeal”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cornmeal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cornmeal”
- Using 'cornmeal' to refer to cornstarch (a fine thickening agent).
- Confusing 'cornmeal' (coarse) with 'corn flour' (fine) without regional context.
- Pronouncing it as two separate words with equal stress: 'corn meal'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Polenta is a dish made by cooking coarse cornmeal. The term 'polenta' is often used to refer to the specific type of coarse cornmeal suitable for making that dish.
Not directly. Corn flour (UK) or cornstarch (US) is much finer and used for thickening. Substituting would drastically change the texture of a recipe.
Using only cornmeal, which lacks gluten, can lead to a crumbly texture. Most recipes combine it with wheat flour and often include buttermilk or yogurt for moisture.
Because of its oil content (especially if stone-ground), store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place or the refrigerator to prevent rancidity.
Coarse flour made by grinding dried maize (corn) kernels.
Cornmeal is usually culinary, everyday (in relevant cultures), technical (agriculture/culinary arts) in register.
Cornmeal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːnmiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːrnmiːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"His promises are just cornmeal" (regional, meaning insubstantial or cheap filler).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a kernel of CORN being MILLED into MEAL. CORN + MEAL = CORNMEAL.
Conceptual Metaphor
BASIC SUSTENANCE / RUSTIC SIMPLICITY (e.g., 'cornmeal honesty' implying simple, unrefined truth).
Practice
Quiz
In which cuisine is cornmeal a defining ingredient for a dish called 'polenta'?