# milk

/ˈmɪɫk/ (US) · /mˈɪlk/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. dairy drink

noun · CEFR A1

the white liquid produced by female animals like cows or goats to feed their babies.

For teachers: a white, nutrient-rich liquid secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals for the nourishment of their young.

- I always put a little bit of cold milk in my tea.
- The dairy industry has faced significant challenges as consumer preferences shift toward organic and locally sourced milk products.

Usage: uncountable in its general sense

### 2. plant-based drink

noun · CEFR B1

a white liquid made from plants, like almonds, oats, or soy.

For teachers: a whitish liquid extract derived from plant matter, used as a substitute for animal milk.

- She prefers oat milk in her coffee because it is creamy.
- The supermarket expanded its inventory to include various nut and grain milks to accommodate the growing vegan population.

Usage: often used with a modifier like 'oat' or 'almond'

### 3. to extract milk

verb · CEFR B1

to take milk from an animal, usually by hand or with a machine.

For teachers: to draw milk from the udder or breast of a mammal.

- The farmer has to milk the cows early every morning.
- Modern dairy farms utilise automated systems to milk hundreds of cows efficiently throughout the day.

Usage: transitive verb

### 4. to exploit

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to get as much benefit or money as possible from a situation, often in an unfair way.

For teachers: to exploit a situation, person, or resource to the fullest extent, often for personal gain or advantage.

- He really milked the story of his injury to get extra sympathy from his boss.
- The studio continued to milk the franchise for years, releasing sequels long after the original plot had been exhausted.

Usage: often used with 'for' as in 'milk it for all it's worth'

## Examples

- I always put a little milk in my morning coffee.
- The recipe requires two cups of whole milk to make the sauce thick and creamy.
- While dairy remains a staple in many diets, the market has expanded to include various plant-based alternatives like almond and oat milk to accommodate different dietary needs.

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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.