Meaning of the Word
Cookies are small, sweet baked treats, typically made with ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. They can be flavored with chocolate chips, nuts, or other ingredients.
Definitions and Meaning in English
- A small, flat, and typically sweet baked good, often containing ingredients such as chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.
- A digital file sent to a computer by a web server to store information about the user’s activity on a website.
- A term used to refer to small, round, or shaped biscuits, primarily in American English.
- A type of snack or dessert that is commonly enjoyed with beverages like milk, tea, or coffee.
History and Origin
The word “cookie” comes from the Dutch word koekje, meaning “little cake.” Dutch settlers brought the concept of cookies to America in the 17th century, where they evolved into the variety of cookies known today. The name “cookie” is used predominantly in the United States, while other English-speaking countries may use the term “biscuit” instead. Historically, cookies were created as a way to test oven temperatures, as they were small enough to bake quickly and easily.
Detailed Explanation
Cookies are a popular type of baked good, commonly enjoyed as a dessert or snack. They are typically made from a dough or batter that is mixed, shaped into small pieces, and baked until golden brown. The dough is often flavored with ingredients like chocolate chips, vanilla, or spices. Cookies come in various textures, from crunchy to chewy, depending on the ingredients and baking time. There are numerous varieties, including chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, and snickerdoodles, each with their own distinct flavors and characteristics. Cookies are often paired with beverages like milk, tea, or coffee and are widely available in stores and bakeries.
Example Sentences
- She baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies for the party.
- I love the smell of fresh cookies coming out of the oven.
- The children were excited to decorate their sugar cookies for Christmas.
- After lunch, we had cookies and milk as a treat.
- He offered me some homemade cookies that his grandmother had baked.
- The bakery specializes in gourmet cookies with unique flavors like salted caramel.
- I can’t resist a warm cookie with a glass of cold milk.
- We made cookies using the recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag.
- The cookies were so delicious that they were gone within an hour.
Synonyms with Short Explanation
- Biscuit: A term commonly used in British English to refer to what Americans call cookies.
- Pastry: A baked item that includes dough and can refer to cookies in some cases.
- Treat: A general term for any enjoyable food, often used to refer to cookies.
- Snack: A small portion of food, which can include cookies.
- Confection: A sweet food, such as candy or cookies.
Related Words with Short Explanation
- Cake: A larger, softer baked dessert that is similar to cookies but usually served in slices.
- Brownie: A rich, chocolate-based dessert similar to cake but typically denser and served in squares.
- Cracker: A type of crisp, savory biscuit, different from cookies, which are sweet.
- Muffin: A small, round baked good, often eaten at breakfast, similar to cookies in texture but typically less sweet.
- Donut: A deep-fried, sweet treat often glazed, but shares the concept of a small, indulgent snack with cookies.
More Matches with Short Explanation
- Scone: A baked item often associated with tea time, similar to a cookie but with a denser texture.
- Pie: A sweet or savory dish with a crust, often filled with fruit or custard, which shares the sweet treat category with cookies.
- Tart: A small, pastry-based dessert, similar to cookies but often filled with fruit or custard.
- Gelato: An Italian ice cream dessert, which can be paired with cookies for a sweet combination.
- Candy: A sweet confectionery item, like cookies, typically made with sugar or chocolate.
Antonyms
- Vegetable: A food item that is typically savory and not sweet like cookies.
- Fruit: A naturally sweet food, which contrasts with the processed sweetness of cookies.
- Salad: A dish typically consisting of vegetables or fruits, often eaten as a main meal, opposite of the sweet nature of cookies.
- Soup: A liquid dish often savory and served as a main meal, unlike the sweet, baked nature of cookies.
- Bread: A staple food typically made from flour and water, and not sweet, unlike cookies.