English Reference

Word

pastry

Phoneticspas·try, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈpeɪstɹi/

UK/pˈeɪstɹi/

Definitions

01baked goods

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Cooking

n. a sweet baked food made from dough, such as a croissant, fruit tart, or pie.

n. a specific baked item made from a flour-and-fat paste, typically sweet and often filled with fruit, cream, or nuts.

“We stopped at the bakery to buy a fresh apple pastry for breakfast.”

“The display case was filled with an assortment of delicate pastries, ranging from flaky almond croissants to glazed fruit tarts.”

Synonyms

02the dough

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Cooking

n. the mixture of flour, fat, and water used as a base for pies and other baked treats.

n. the raw dough or paste consisting of flour, fat, and water, which becomes flaky or crisp when baked.

“You need to keep the pastry cold so the crust stays flaky.”

“The chef demonstrated how to handle the shortcrust pastry gently to prevent the gluten from developing and making the crust tough.”

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the substance itself.

Synonyms

03the art of making it

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Cooking Formal

n. the skill or work of making sweet baked goods.

n. the branch of cookery concerned with the preparation of dough-based baked goods and desserts.

“She decided to go to France to study the art of pastry.”

“Mastering the technical nuances of puff pastry requires years of dedicated practice in a professional kitchen environment.”

Etymology

From Middle English pastre, pastri, from pastree (variant of pasterie, from Old French pastaierie and Medieval Latin pasteria, from Late Latin pasta, from Ancient Greek παστά (pastá)) or paste + -ri (modern paste + -ry).

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

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Frequent
Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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