What does "yogurt" mean?

1. (dairy food) a thick, slightly sour food made from milk that is often mixed with fruit or sugar. 2. (non-dairy alternative) a food similar to milk yogurt but made from plants like soy, coconut, or almonds.

yogurt

US //ˈjoʊɡɝt// UK //jˈɒɡɜːt// yo·gurt

1 dairy food (n.)
A1 Beginner Cooking

a thick, slightly sour food made from milk that is often mixed with fruit or sugar.

a dairy product produced by the bacterial fermentation of milk, resulting in a thick consistency and characteristic tart flavour.

Example

I usually have a bowl of plain yogurt with fresh honey and nuts for breakfast.

Example

The recipe calls for Greek yogurt rather than the thinner variety to ensure the sauce maintains a rich, stable texture during the heating process.
- yoghurt
2 non-dairy alternative (n.)
B1 Intermediate Cooking

a food similar to milk yogurt but made from plants like soy, coconut, or almonds.

a plant-based analogue to traditional dairy yogurt, typically using soy, almond, or coconut milk as a base for fermentation.

Example

Since she stopped eating dairy, she prefers coconut yogurt in her morning smoothies.

Example

The market for plant-based alternatives has expanded significantly, with soy yogurt now widely available in most major supermarkets alongside traditional dairy products.

Origin

Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish یوغورت (yoğurt). Ultimately from Proto-Turkic *yogrut.

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

Last updated June 20, 2026