Flour: meaning, definitions and examples

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flour

[flaʊər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

baking

Flour is a powder made by grinding raw grains, roots, beans, nuts, or seeds. It is commonly used in baking to make bread, cakes, and pastries.

Synonyms

meal, powder, starch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flour	Use in baking and cooking recipes that require a finely ground ingredient. Often used for making bread, cakes, and pastries. She added two cups of flour to the mixture. The bakery uses whole wheat flour in their bread.
powder	Any fine, dry substance produced by grinding or by breaking down a solid into fine particles. Used in cooking, cosmetics, and other applications. She added a teaspoon of cocoa powder to the mix. The makeup artist applied a layer of setting powder.
starch	A carbohydrate found in foods like potatoes, rice, and corn. Used in cooking to thicken sauces and soups. Can also refer to a substance used to stiffen clothes. She added some cornstarch to the gravy to thicken it. The laundry service used starch to keep the collars crisp.
meal	Ground grains or seeds, often coarser than flour, used in recipes or as feed for animals. Can also refer to food in general. This bread is made from cornmeal. Oatmeal is a popular breakfast meal.

Examples of usage

Add flour to the mixture and stir well.
She sifted the flour before adding it to the cake batter.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

cooking

Flour can also refer to a white or brown powder that is used to thicken sauces and soups.

Synonyms

roux, starch, thickener.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flour	Use when referring to a common baking ingredient made by grinding wheat or other grains. It is typically used in making bread, cakes, and other baked goods. She added some flour to the mixture to make the dough. This recipe requires two cups of flour.
thickener	Use when referring to any substance added to a liquid to increase its viscosity without significantly altering its other properties. Used in cooking, cosmetics, and industrial applications. Cornstarch is a common thickener for soups and sauces. The recipe suggested using gelatin as a thickener for the dessert.
starch	Use when referring to a carbohydrate found in many foods, or in the context of laundry where it is used to stiffen fabrics. Potatoes are high in starch and are a staple food in many cultures. She uses starch to keep her shirts crisp and smooth.
roux	Use in the context of cooking, particularly in making sauces and soups. It is a mixture of flour and fat cooked together and used as a thickening agent. The recipe calls for a roux to thicken the cheese sauce. She made a roux by whisking together butter and flour on the stove.

Examples of usage

Mix the flour with water to create a roux for the sauce.
The recipe calls for a tablespoon of flour to thicken the stew.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

archaic

To flour something means to sprinkle or coat it with flour.

Synonyms

coat, dust, sprinkle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flour	Use when referring to the act of covering something with a thin layer of flour, typically in cooking or baking. She floured the surface before rolling out the dough Flour the chicken before frying it
dust	Usually refers to lightly covering a surface with a fine, powdery substance, can be used in food and non-food contexts. She dusted the cake with powdered sugar The bookshelf was dusted with a fine layer of dirt
sprinkle	Refers to scattering small particles or drops of a substance lightly over a surface. Sprinkle some salt over the salad He sprinkled water on the plants
coat	General term for covering something completely, not limited to flour or food, but also applies to paint, oil, etc. He coated the chicken in breadcrumbs They coated the walls with a fresh layer of paint

Examples of usage

Flour the pan before adding the dough.
She floured the fish before frying it.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'flour' comes from the Old French word 'fleur', meaning 'flower' – a reference to the finest part of the grain.
Originally, 'flour' was used to describe any ground grain, but it later became specific to wheat.
Related to the word 'blossom', it highlights the idea of the best part of the grain being used in baking.

Culinary Traditions

Different cultures use various types of flour, such as rice flour in Asian dishes and corn flour in Latin American cuisine.
In Italy, '00 flour' is highly refined and essential for making traditional pizza and pasta.
Sourdough bread relies on flour's natural ability to ferment when mixed with water and yeast.

Health and Nutrition

Whole wheat flour contains more fiber and nutrients compared to all-purpose flour, offering health benefits.
Gluten-free flour alternatives, like almond or coconut flour, cater to people with certain dietary restrictions.
Flour can be enriched with vitamins and minerals, helping to combat nutrient deficiencies in many diets.

Science

The protein content in flour affects baking: higher protein flours yield chewier textures, while lower protein flours produce lighter textures.
When water is added to flour, it develops gluten—a stretchy network that gives bread its structure.
Different milling processes can impact flour's properties, affecting how it interacts with liquids during baking.

History

Flour production dates back to at least 6000 BC, with evidence of grain grinding found in ancient civilizations.
The invention of the windmill in the Middle Ages revolutionized flour production, allowing for larger quantities to be ground efficiently.
In ancient Egypt, flour was used not only for bread but also as a form of currency, showing its importance in daily life.

Translations

Translations of the word "flour" in other languages:

🇵🇹 farinha

🇮🇳 आटा

🇩🇪 Mehl

🇮🇩 tepung

🇺🇦 борошно

🇵🇱 mąka

🇯🇵 小麦粉 (komugiko)

🇫🇷 farine

🇪🇸 harina

🇹🇷 un

🇰🇷 밀가루 (milgaru)

🇸🇦 دقيق (daqiq)

🇨🇿 mouka

🇸🇰 múka

🇨🇳 面粉 (miànfěn)

🇸🇮 moka

🇮🇸 hveiti

🇰🇿 ұн

🇬🇪 ფქვილი (pkhvili)

🇦🇿 un

🇲🇽 harina

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,049, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4046 abundance
4047 precious
4048 wit
4049 flour
4050 harvest
4051 proportions
4052 bath
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