pudding: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High (Common)Informal to neutral in food contexts; informal/slang in metaphorical uses.
Quick answer
What does “pudding” mean?
A general term for a soft, often sweet, cooked dessert, typically served at the end of a meal. In the UK, it can also refer to specific steamed or baked savoury dishes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A general term for a soft, often sweet, cooked dessert, typically served at the end of a meal. In the UK, it can also refer to specific steamed or baked savoury dishes.
Can refer to a specific character or quality, as in 'He's a Christmas pudding' meaning someone is genial and well-liked. Also used in the idiom 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating.'
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: 'Pudding' can mean 'dessert' in general ("What's for pudding?"), or specific dishes like steak and kidney pudding. US: 'Pudding' is a specific creamy dessert, typically made from milk, sugar, and a thickener like cornstarch, and is distinct from 'dessert'.
Connotations
UK: Evokes tradition, nursery food, and comfort. US: Evokes a packaged, snack-like, often child-friendly food.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, but used in different contexts. The general 'dessert' meaning is high frequency in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “pudding” in a Sentence
[verb] + pudding: eat/make/serve/steam a pudding[adjective] + pudding: traditional/steamed/savoury/sticky puddingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pudding” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To pudding (verb) is rare; 'puddinged' can informally mean made pregnant (slang).
American English
- Pudding is not used as a verb in American English.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- A pudding-y texture
- A pudding-basin haircut (a simple, round cut).
American English
- Pudding-like consistency
- Pudding mix (the dry product).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food industry contexts (e.g., 'pudding brand sales').
Academic
Rare, except in historical or cultural studies of food.
Everyday
Very high frequency, especially in domestic and social dining contexts.
Technical
Used in culinary arts to describe specific preparation methods (e.g., 'steamed pudding').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pudding”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pudding”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pudding”
- Using 'pudding' to refer to any cake in US English (incorrect).
- Using 'pudding' as a countable noun for 'dessert' in US English (e.g., 'We had a pudding' is unnatural).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In American English, 'pudding' is a specific type of creamy, soft dessert, while 'dessert' is the general term for the sweet course at the end of a meal.
No, a Yorkshire pudding is a savoury British dish made from a batter of eggs, flour, and milk, baked in hot fat. It is traditionally served with roast beef and gravy.
It means that the real value or quality of something can only be judged when it is put to its intended use or tested in practice, not by its appearance or description.
Because the UK and US meanings overlap only partially. The UK term is a broad category (desserts/specific dishes), while the US term is a narrow category (a specific creamy dessert). This can lead to misunderstandings in conversation.
A general term for a soft, often sweet, cooked dessert, typically served at the end of a meal. In the UK, it can also refer to specific steamed or baked savoury dishes.
Pudding is usually informal to neutral in food contexts; informal/slang in metaphorical uses. in register.
Pudding: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpʊdɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpʊdɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”
- “Pudding club (UK slang: pregnancy)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PUD in the centre of a kitchen (DING!) – the sound of the timer for a baked or steamed dessert.
Conceptual Metaphor
Pudding as a substance representing comfort, tradition, or indulgence (e.g., 'a pudding of a man' meaning a rotund, comforting person).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a CORRECT statement about the word 'pudding'?