# malt

/ˈmɔɫt/ (US) · /mˈɒlt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

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

## Definition

grain, usually barley, that has been soaked in water and dried to prepare it for making beer or whiskey. You might also find it in some sweets or milkshakes for a sweet, toasted flavor.

For teachers: grain, typically barley, that has been germinated by soaking in water and then dried to halt further growth. This process develops the enzymes required to turn starches into fermentable sugars.

## Examples

- The brewer added extra malt to give the beer a richer flavor.
- The distillery uses locally grown barley to produce the high-quality malt essential for their signature single-malt scotch.
- The complex profile of the stout is achieved through a blend of chocolate and crystal malts, which impart deep notes of coffee and caramel during the mashing process.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the substance in general; countable when referring to specific varieties or types of malt used in brewing.

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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.