English Reference
adjective

creamy

adj.
US /ˈkɹimi/ UK /kɹˈiːmi/ creamy

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Cooking

    made with or containing a lot of cream.

    containing or prepared with a significant proportion of cream.

    Simple

    The chef served a creamy mushroom soup with fresh bread on the side.

    In context

    The recipe calls for a creamy base of heavy dairy and butter to balance the acidity of the white wine sauce.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    having a thick, smooth, and soft feeling like cream.

    resembling cream in consistency or texture; smooth and viscous.

    Simple

    This hand lotion is very creamy and makes my skin feel soft.

    In context

    The moisturiser has a creamy consistency that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue on the skin.

    smoothvelvetythick
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a pale, yellowish-white colour like cream.

    having the characteristic pale, off-white, or yellowish-white hue of dairy cream.

    Simple

    They chose a creamy paint for the living room walls to make it feel warm.

    In context

    The bride wore a creamy silk gown that complemented the antique lace of her veil.

    off whiteivory
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical Photography

    used in photography to describe a soft, beautiful blur in the background.

    characterised by a smooth, aesthetically pleasing transition between sharp and out-of-focus areas of an image.

    Simple

    The new lens creates a beautiful creamy background in portrait photos.

    In context

    Photographers prize this specific prime lens for its creamy bokeh, which isolates the subject against a buttery, seamless background.


From Middle English cremy, equivalent to cream + -y. Piecewise doublet of cremey.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English cremy
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated