creme d'ananas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “creme d'ananas” mean?
A sweet, syrupy pineapple liqueur used as a drink or in desserts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sweet, syrupy pineapple liqueur used as a drink or in desserts.
A French-style liqueur made with pineapple, often used as a dessert topping, in cocktails, or as a flavouring in baking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in spelling and pronunciation; usage is linked to culinary interest rather than regional English variation.
Connotations
In both, it connotes sophistication, French cuisine, or specialist cocktails. It is not a common household item.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general speech, encountered primarily in gourmet food/drink contexts, recipe books, or high-end bars.
Grammar
How to Use “creme d'ananas” in a Sentence
[Verb] + crème d'ananas: drizzle, pour, mix, splash[Preposition] + crème d'ananas: with a hint of crème d'ananasCrème d'ananas + [Verb]: crème d'ananas complementsCrème d'ananas + [Noun]: crème d'ananas liqueur, crème d'ananas sauceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “creme d'ananas” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (The word is a noun, not used as a verb)
American English
- (The word is a noun, not used as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (The word is a noun, not used as an adverb)
American English
- (The word is a noun, not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (The word is a noun; adjectival use is rare, e.g., 'a crème d'ananas glaze')
American English
- (The word is a noun; adjectival use is rare, e.g., 'a crème d'ananas cocktail')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of importing, selling, or marketing specialty liqueurs and spirits.
Academic
Rare; potentially in culinary history, food science, or gastronomy studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside specific contexts like planning a special dessert or cocktail.
Technical
Used in bartending/mixology, professional patisserie, and recipe development.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “creme d'ananas”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “creme d'ananas”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “creme d'ananas”
- Mispronouncing 'ananas' as /əˈneɪ.nəs/ (like the fruit in English) instead of the French /a.na.nas/ or anglicised /əˈnæn.əs/.
- Misspelling as 'cream d'ananas', 'creme de ananas', or 'creme dananas'.
- Assuming it is a non-alcoholic cream or custard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a liqueur, typically containing 15-25% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Not directly. Pineapple juice lacks the sweetness, syrupy texture, and alcoholic content. A closer substitute would be a pineapple syrup mixed with a neutral spirit or a different fruit liqueur.
In an anglicised context, it is commonly pronounced /əˈnæn.əs/. The original French pronunciation is /a.na.nas/.
No, it is a specialist product typically found in large liquor stores, online retailers, or shops specialising in imported gourmet foods.
A sweet, syrupy pineapple liqueur used as a drink or in desserts.
Creme d'ananas is usually formal/culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none specific)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Crème' (French for cream) + 'd'ananas' (of pineapple). It's a creamy, sweet pineapple treat.
Conceptual Metaphor
LUXURY IS RARITY/EXOTICISM (an uncommon, imported French liqueur).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you LEAST likely to encounter 'crème d'ananas'?