gouda: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, common in culinary and everyday contexts.
Quick answer
What does “gouda” mean?
A semi-hard to hard Dutch cheese, typically made from cow's milk, known for its mild, creamy, and slightly sweet flavour when young, becoming more complex and nutty as it ages.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A semi-hard to hard Dutch cheese, typically made from cow's milk, known for its mild, creamy, and slightly sweet flavour when young, becoming more complex and nutty as it ages.
Refers specifically to the cheese variety originating from the Netherlands, which is widely produced and imitated globally. Can also refer to a style of cheese-making (Gouda-style).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is identically used in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral connotations in both, associated with quality dairy, sandwiches, and snacking.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties due to global food distribution.
Grammar
How to Use “gouda” in a Sentence
[verb] + gouda (e.g., buy, eat, slice, grate)[adjective] + gouda (e.g., aged, smoked)gouda + [noun] (e.g., gouda sandwich, gouda producer)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gouda” 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
- She made a lovely Gouda and pickle sandwich.
- The Gouda selection at the market was impressive.
American English
- He ordered the gouda mac and cheese.
- This is a gouda-style cheese produced in Wisconsin.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in import/export, retail, and hospitality contexts related to food products.
Academic
Rare, except in culinary history, food science, or cultural studies discussing Dutch produce.
Everyday
Very common in contexts of shopping, cooking, and eating.
Technical
Used in dairy science and cheesemaking to denote a specific type with controlled origin (Gouda Holland PDO) or style.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gouda”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gouda”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gouda”
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈɡuːdə/ (like 'good'). The correct pronunciation has the /aʊ/ diphthong as in 'out'.
- Misspelling: 'goda', 'goudah'.
- Using it as a countable noun in plural incorrectly: 'goudas' is rare; 'pieces/types of gouda' is preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'Gouda Holland' has Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in the EU, meaning only cheese produced in the Netherlands following specific methods can use that name. The term 'gouda' alone is often used generically for the style worldwide.
In English, it is pronounced /ˈɡaʊdə/, with the 'ou' sounding like the 'ou' in 'out' or 'loud'. The common mispronunciation /ˈɡuːdə/ (like 'good') is incorrect in English, though it approximates the Dutch sound.
Young gouda (aged 4-8 weeks) is mild, creamy, and slightly sweet. Aged gouda (several months to years) becomes firmer, darker, and develops rich, nutty, caramel-like flavours and sometimes crunchy protein crystals.
Yes, in attributive position (before a noun), it functions like an adjective to describe something made with or resembling the cheese, e.g., 'a gouda sandwich', 'a gouda flavour'.
A semi-hard to hard Dutch cheese, typically made from cow's milk, known for its mild, creamy, and slightly sweet flavour when young, becoming more complex and nutty as it ages.
Gouda is usually neutral, common in culinary and everyday contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a concrete noun with no idiomatic usage.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I'd GO UH and get some more of that tasty GOUDA cheese.'
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; a concrete food item with no common metaphorical extensions.
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of traditional Gouda cheese?