creme brulee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal (restaurants), Semi-formal (food writing)
Quick answer
What does “creme brulee” mean?
A rich dessert consisting of a creamy custard base topped with a layer of hard caramelized sugar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rich dessert consisting of a creamy custard base topped with a layer of hard caramelized sugar.
In a broader sense, it can refer metaphorically to anything with a hard, crispy exterior covering something soft and rich beneath.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is typically 'crème brûlée' in both, with accents. UK usage tends to preserve the French accents more strictly. Pronunciation differs (see IPA).
Connotations
In both cultures, it conveys gourmet dining and indulgence. Possibly perceived as slightly more pretentious or high-end in casual UK contexts compared to US.
Frequency
Equally low in general discourse, but common in the context of menus and food descriptions in both countries.
Grammar
How to Use “creme brulee” in a Sentence
[enjoy] + creme brulee[top] + creme brulee + [with berry compote][caramelize] + [the] + sugar + [on] + creme bruleeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “creme brulee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She expertly brûléed the sugar on the puddings.
- The chef is bruleeing the desserts now.
American English
- He bruleed the top until it was perfectly crisp.
- Are you ready to brulee the sugar?
adverb
British English
- [Not standard; very rare]
American English
- [Not standard; very rare]
adjective
British English
- We offer a creme-brulee-style topping on our porridge.
- A creme brulee dessert pot.
American English
- The creme brulee French toast was a hit.
- They served a creme brulee flavored coffee.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in hospitality/restaurant business plans or marketing.
Academic
Rare, except in culinary arts, food history, or cultural studies.
Everyday
Used when discussing restaurant choices, desserts, or cooking.
Technical
Used in culinary contexts regarding techniques (torching, tempering eggs, creating water bath).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “creme brulee”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “creme brulee”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “creme brulee”
- Mispronouncing 'brûlée' as 'broo-lee' or 'bruh-lee'. Misspelling as 'creme brule' (missing accent and 'e'). Incorrectly capitalizing (not a proper noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the feminine past participle of 'brûler', meaning 'burnt'. So 'crème brûlée' literally means 'burnt cream'.
Yes, the formally correct spelling is 'crème brûlée' with a circumflex on the 'u' and an accent grave on the first 'e'. In English, it is often written without accents as 'creme brulee'.
The classic and most traditional flavor is vanilla. The custard is infused with vanilla pods or extract.
You use the back of your dessert spoon to gently tap and crack the hard caramelized sugar crust to access the soft custard beneath. It's customary to get a bit of the crust and custard in each spoonful.
A rich dessert consisting of a creamy custard base topped with a layer of hard caramelized sugar.
Creme brulee is usually formal (restaurants), semi-formal (food writing) in register.
Creme brulee: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrem bruːˈleɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɛm bruˈleɪ/ or /ˌkrɛm bruˈleɪ/ (common), /ˌkrɛm bruːˈleɪ/ (more French-influenced). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated; the term itself is a specific reference]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CREAM' (creme) that is 'BROO-LAYed' (brûlée, meaning 'burnt') on top.
Conceptual Metaphor
LUXURY IS RICHNESS COVERED BY A CRISP LAYER.
Practice
Quiz
What is the key distinguishing feature of a creme brulee?