# donut

/ˈdoʊˌnət/ (US) · /dˈəʊnʌt/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/donut
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a small, sweet cake that is shaped like a ring or a ball and is usually fried. You often find them covered in sugar, frosting, or filled with jam.

For teachers: a small fried cake of sweetened dough, typically ring-shaped or spherical and often filled or glazed.

## Examples

- I bought a chocolate donut for breakfast.
- The office manager brought a dozen fresh donuts to the meeting to celebrate the team's success.
- While the classic glazed ring remains a staple of the industry, many modern bakeries now experiment with savory fillings and sourdough bases to reinvent the traditional donut.

## Usage notes

- The spelling 'donut' is primarily American; 'doughnut' is the standard British English form.

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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.