# dairy

/ˈdɛɹi/ (US) · /dˈeəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dairy
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. milk products

noun · CEFR A2

foods that are made from milk, such as cheese, cream, and butter.

For teachers: a collective term for food products derived from the milk of mammals, typically cattle.

- I have decided to stop eating dairy to see if it helps my skin.
- The nutritionist recommended a diet rich in calcium but suggested sourcing it from leafy greens rather than traditional dairy.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the food group.

### 2. a milk farm or factory

noun · CEFR B1

a place where milk is kept or made into butter and cheese.

For teachers: a commercial establishment for the harvesting and processing of animal milk for human consumption.

- The local dairy provides fresh milk to the entire village every morning.
- Modern dairies utilise automated milking systems to increase efficiency and maintain high hygiene standards across the herd.

### 3. a corner store

noun · CEFR B2 · Dialect

a small local shop that sells food and everyday items.

For teachers: a small convenience store or minimart.

- I'm just going down to the dairy to buy a newspaper and some milk.
- In New Zealand, the local dairy serves as a vital community hub for residents needing quick supplies outside of supermarket hours.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to New Zealand English; in other regions, people say 'corner shop' or 'convenience store'.

### 4. made from milk

adjective · CEFR A2

used to describe things made from or related to milk.

For teachers: relating to or denoting products made from milk or the industry of milk production.

- You can find the butter in the dairy section of the supermarket.
- The farmer invested in new dairy equipment to ensure the milk remained at a constant temperature during transport.

### 5. breasts

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Vulgar

a slang word for a woman's breasts.

For teachers: a vulgar slang term for human breasts.

- The movie contained some crude jokes about a woman's dairy.
- The script was criticised for its reliance on vulgar metaphors, including the use of 'dairy' to objectify female characters.

Teaching tip: This is a highly informal and often offensive term; learners should be aware of it but avoid using it.

## Examples

- I need to buy some dairy products like milk and cheese.
- Many people choose to avoid dairy because they are lactose intolerant or follow a vegan diet.
- The local dairy has expanded its operations to include artisanal cheeses and organic yogurts, catering to the growing consumer demand for locally sourced agricultural products.

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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.