Margarine: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word when talking about a common alternative to butter, typically made from vegetable oils. It is often used in cooking and baking as a cheaper or healthier replacement.

• I bought a tub of margarine for the cookies I'm baking.
• Many people choose margarine to reduce their saturated fat intake.

This term is broader and can refer to any soft, spreadable food product, whether it's margarine, cream cheese, or other types of spreads. Use it when the specific type of spread is not important.

• She loves her toast with a generous spread of avocado.
• At the breakfast table, you'll find various spreads like peanut butter and margarine.

This word is a more old-fashioned term for margarine and is less commonly used today. It may be encountered in historical contexts or older recipes.

• The old recipe calls for a cup of oleo, which is another name for margarine.
• During the war, people often used oleo instead of butter.

This term is more general and can be used in any situation where you are referring to any type of product that can replace butter, not just margarine.

• If you're lactose intolerant, you can try a butter substitute made from coconut oil.
• As a butter substitute, vegan spreads have grown in popularity.