sifter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral
Quick answer
What does “sifter” mean?
A utensil, typically a container with a mesh or perforated bottom, used for separating finer particles from coarser ones by shaking or passing through.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A utensil, typically a container with a mesh or perforated bottom, used for separating finer particles from coarser ones by shaking or passing through.
A person or thing that sifts, examines, or evaluates something carefully; something that separates or refines information, objects, or elements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The verb 'to sift' is more common than the noun 'sifter' in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral and functional in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both UK and US English; low-to-medium frequency word.
Grammar
How to Use “sifter” in a Sentence
[Sifter] + of + [material] (a sifter of flour)[Subject] + use/pass through + [sifter]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sifter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She will sift the icing sugar over the cake.
- The committee must sift through the evidence carefully.
American English
- He sifted the flour before adding it to the mix.
- Sift through these applications and find the best candidates.
adverb
British English
- [No adverbial form]
American English
- [No adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjectival form of 'sifter'; 'sifting' is the present participle/adjective] The sifting process is important.
American English
- [No standard adjectival form of 'sifter'; 'sifting' is the present participle/adjective] Use a sifting motion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear metaphorically in phrases like 'data sifter' for analytics tools.
Academic
Used in scientific contexts (e.g., soil analysis, particle separation).
Everyday
Almost exclusively in cooking/baking contexts.
Technical
Used in engineering, chemistry, and materials science for separation processes.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sifter”
- Using 'sifter' as a verb (the verb is 'to sift').
- Confusing 'sifter' with 'shaker' (a shaker mixes, a sifter separates).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is common in cooking and specific technical fields but less common in general everyday conversation outside those contexts.
A sifter often has a mechanical action (a squeeze handle or crank) and is typically used for fine, dry substances like flour. A sieve is usually a general-purpose mesh bowl used for both wet and dry sifting/strainin.
No. The noun is 'sifter'; the verb is 'to sift'. Example: 'I sift (verb) flour with a sifter (noun).'
Not common ones. The metaphorical use ('a sifter of information') is more of a conceptual extension than a fixed idiom.
A utensil, typically a container with a mesh or perforated bottom, used for separating finer particles from coarser ones by shaking or passing through.
Sifter is usually neutral in register.
Sifter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪftə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪftər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms directly with 'sifter']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SIFT' + 'ER'. A SIFTer SIFTs things (like flour) to make them finer.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCREENING/REFINING is a SIFTER (e.g., 'a good recruiter is a human sifter for talent').
Practice
Quiz
In a non-culinary context, what could a 'sifter' metaphorically refer to?