Curdle: meaning, definitions and examples

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curdle

[ ˈkərdl ]

^{Context #1}

in cooking

To separate or cause to separate into curds or lumps.

Synonyms

clot, coagulate, thicken

Examples of usage

The milk began to curdle when I added the lemon juice.
Be careful not to curdle the sauce by overheating it.

^{Context #2}

figurative

To become spoiled or sour.

Synonyms

sour, spoil, turn bad

Examples of usage

The relationship between them curdled after the argument.
The atmosphere in the room curdled as tensions rose.

Translations

Translations of the word "curdle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 coalhar

🇮🇳 फटना

🇩🇪 gerinnen

🇮🇩 menggumpal

🇺🇦 згортатися

🇵🇱 zważyć się

🇯🇵 凝固する (ぎょうこする)

🇫🇷 cailler

🇪🇸 cuajar

🇹🇷 kesilmek

🇰🇷 응고되다

🇸🇦 يخثر

🇨🇿 srazit se

🇸🇰 zraziť sa

🇨🇳 凝固 (nínggù)

🇸🇮 strditi

🇮🇸 storkna

🇰🇿 ұйып қалу

🇬🇪 შეჭედვა

🇦🇿 qatılaşmaq

🇲🇽 cuajar

Word origin

The word 'curdle' originated in the early 17th century, derived from the Old English word 'crudan' meaning to press, drive, or urge. Over time, the meaning shifted to refer to the process of milk separating into curds and whey. The figurative use of 'curdle' to describe a negative change in relationships or atmosphere appeared in the late 19th century.