What Is Cream Cheese? Definition, Uses & Tips

Meaning 1：spreadable fresh cheese (Cream Cheese)

Cream Cheese 🔊

/kriːm tʃiːz/

A soft, smooth, and spreadable fresh cheese that is white in color and has a mild, slightly tangy taste. It is made from milk and cream.

Cream cheese spread on a bagel with strawberry slices

spreadable fresh cheese 🔊

➕

/ˈsprɛdəbəl frɛʃ tʃiːz/

A soft, smooth, white cheese with a mild tang, made from milk and cream, typically used as a spread or in desserts.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Cream' from Old French 'creme', 'Cheese' from Latin 'caseus'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a smooth, white cloud of cream on cheese—spread it on a bagel for a tasty memory.

📖 Example

For a quick and tasty breakfast, I like to spread some cream cheese on a toasted bagel. 🔊 For a quick and tasty breakfast, I like to spread some cream cheese on a toasted bagel.

🔗 Collocations

cream cheese frosting – A sweet icing made with cream cheese, butter, and sugar, often used on cakes.

cream cheese and bagel – A classic combination of a sliced bagel topped with a layer of cream cheese.

flavored cream cheese – Cream cheese blended with herbs, spices, fruits, or other seasonings for different tastes.

🔄 Synonyms

soft cheese (n.) – A general term for cheeses with a soft, spreadable texture, similar to cream cheese.

fresh cheese (n.) – Unaged cheese with a high moisture content, often mild and spreadable.

spreadable cheese (n.) – Any cheese that is easy to spread, including cream cheese and processed cheese spreads.

🚫 Antonyms

aged cheese (n.) – Cheese that has been matured for a period, developing a firmer texture and stronger flavor.

hard cheese (n.) – Cheese with a low moisture content, such as cheddar or parmesan, not spreadable.

📖 Cultural Story

Cream cheese was invented in the 1870s in New York, popularized by Philadelphia brand, making it a staple for bagels and cheesecakes.