cremer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High (B1)Neutral to formal (depending on usage)
Quick answer
What does “cremer” mean?
The thick, fatty part of milk that rises to the top, or a similar soft, rich substance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The thick, fatty part of milk that rises to the top, or a similar soft, rich substance.
To select the best people or things from a group; to beat or mix ingredients into a smooth, soft consistency; a thick cosmetic or medicinal preparation for the skin; an off-white, pale yellowish-white colour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is consistent. Usage in food context is similar, though dairy product names and specific dishes (e.g., 'single cream', 'half-and-half') vary. The sports idiom 'to cream someone' is more common in AmE. 'Cream crackered' (Cockney rhyming slang for 'knackered') is exclusively BrE.
Connotations
Generally positive (luxury, richness, best). The verb 'to cream off' (to take the best part for oneself) can have a negative connotation of unfair advantage.
Frequency
As a noun, extremely common in both. The verb form is moderately common, especially in culinary and competitive contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cremer” in a Sentence
cream something (culinary)cream something off (figurative)be creamed (defeated)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cremer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- United absolutely creamed City in the derby match.
- The government was accused of creaming off the tax revenue for pet projects.
American English
- Cream the butter and sugar for three minutes.
- Our team got creamed in the finals.
- The system allows banks to cream off the highest fees.
adjective
British English
- She wore a lovely cream-coloured dress.
- We painted the walls in a soft cream.
American English
- He has a cream-colored sofa.
- The invitation was printed on cream stationery.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
To 'cream off' profits or the best clients. 'They are the cream of the industry's talent.'
Academic
Metaphorical use for elite selection. 'The study focused on the cream of the applicants.'
Everyday
Dairy product, skincare, colour, cooking instruction. 'Pass the cream, please.' 'I need to buy some hand cream.'
Technical
In food science: fat content, emulsion properties. In dermatology: formulation base for active ingredients.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cremer”
- Misspelling as 'creem'. Incorrect countability: 'a cream' (usually uncountable for substance). Confusing 'cream' (verb) with 'scream'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually uncountable when referring to the substance (e.g., 'add some cream'). It can be countable when referring to types (e.g., 'different face creams') or servings (e.g., 'two creams, please' in a café).
'Cream' is the standard English word. 'Crème' is a French loanword used in specific culinary or cosmetic contexts to suggest richness or French origin (e.g., 'crème brûlée', 'crème de la crème').
Yes. 'To cream off' means to take the best part of something (like profits or opportunities) for yourself, often unfairly. In sports, 'to cream someone' is informal and means to defeat them decisively.
Literally: cream that has been beaten to incorporate air. Metaphorically: it can describe something light, insubstantial, or overly sentimental (e.g., 'a whipped cream of a novel').
The thick, fatty part of milk that rises to the top, or a similar soft, rich substance.
Cremer is usually neutral to formal (depending on usage) in register.
Cremer: in British English it is pronounced /kriːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /kriːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cream of the crop”
- “like the cat that got the cream”
- “cream rises to the top”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DREAM made of CREAM - it's rich, smooth, and the best part.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEST IS RICH/THICK/TOP LAYER (e.g., 'cream of the crop'), DEFEAT IS MASHING/BEATING INTO A PASTE (e.g., 'we creamed them').
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'the cream of the crop' mean?