# biscuit

/ˈbɪskət/ (US) · /bˈɪskɪt/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/biscuit
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a small, flat, dry cake that is usually sweet. In some countries, people call this a cookie.

For teachers: a small, typically crisp cake made from sweetened dough. In British English, it refers to a sweet snack, whereas in American English, it describes a small, savoury quick bread similar to a scone.

## Examples

- I usually have a chocolate biscuit with my tea.
- The children were allowed to pick one biscuit from the tin after they finished their lunch.
- While the traditional recipe calls for plain flour and butter, modern variations often incorporate oats and dried fruit to create a more substantial biscuit suitable for breakfast.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I want a biscuit for my gravy" but "I want a biscuit for my tea" — In British English, a biscuit is always sweet; the American savoury version is unknown in the UK.

## Usage notes

- Countable in most contexts; can be used uncountably when referring to the food item in a general sense.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.