Pastry Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pastry

[ˈpeɪstri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

baking

A sweet baked food made of dough, especially flour and shortening, filled with fruit, jam, cream, or meat.

Synonyms

baked good, sweet, tart.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pastry	Used to refer to dough-based baked goods, particularly those made with flaky or puff pastry. It can also imply a level of craftsmanship or finesse in baking. She picked out a delicate pastry filled with almond cream The bakery is known for its exquisite pastries
baked good	A general term for any item that has been baked, including bread, cakes, muffins, and pastries. It's often used in a broader context, such as in a bakery or when discussing baking as a whole. They offer a wide variety of baked goods, from bread to cookies She learned to make all kinds of baked goods in her cooking class
sweet	This word captures any food or treat that has a sugary flavor, not necessarily baked. It's often used in a casual or everyday context. I brought some sweets for the party She has a sweet tooth and loves anything sugary
tart	Typically refers to a type of pastry with a crust and a filling, often sweet and sometimes savory. It has a more specific meaning than pastry and often implies a certain shape and form. The lemon tart was both tangy and sweet She made a beautiful fruit tart for dessert

Examples of usage

The bakery sells a variety of pastries such as croissants and danishes.
She enjoyed a delicious pastry with her morning coffee.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

culinary

A dough of flour, water, and shortening that may be savory or sweet and is used to make pies, tarts, and other baked goods.

Synonyms

crust, dough, pastry dough.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pastry	Refers to baked goods made from dough, especially sweet items like croissants, tarts, and pies. She made a delicious pastry filled with apples and cinnamon; For dessert, we served a variety of pastries including éclairs and cream puffs
dough	Refers to the raw, unbaked mixture used to make baked goods like bread, pizza, and pastries. She kneaded the dough until it was smooth; The pizza dough needs to rise for an hour before baking
crust	Specifically used to describe the outermost layer of a baked item, especially pies and pizzas. The pie had a golden, flaky crust; He prefers his pizza with a thin, crispy crust
pastry dough	Specifically refers to the unbaked mixture used to make pastries, often rich in butter and used for sweet items. The recipe calls for chilling the pastry dough before rolling it out; She rolled the pastry dough thin to make a tart shell

Examples of usage

The pastry for the apple pie was made with a flaky crust.
She learned how to make puff pastry from scratch.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'pastry'

The word 'pastry' originated from the Old French word 'pastee', which means a pie. It has been used in English since the late 14th century to refer to a baked dough mixture, often with a sweet or savory filling. Pastries have been a popular food item in many cultures, with variations in ingredients and techniques. Today, pastries are enjoyed worldwide as a delicious treat for any occasion.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,705, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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14702 reconsidered
14703 beseech
14704 summarizing
14705 pastry
14706 vampire
14707 disgraceful
14708 tackled
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