Crème
/krɛm/noun
A smooth, rich substance, especially cream or a cream-based preparation, often used in French culinary or cosmetic terms.
Did you know?In English, the accent in “crème” often signals French refinement or a specialized product, even though the underlying word is closely related to plain English “cream.”
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
crāma
“Cream or the fatty portion of milk; the deeper origin is uncertain.”
Old French
Old French
cresme
“Cream; an early French form related to later crème.”
Middle French
French
crème
“Cream, especially the rich layer rising to the surface of milk.”
17th–18th Century
French
crème
“Cream and cream-based preparations, increasingly prominent in French cuisine and confectionery.”
19th Century
English
crème
“A French borrowing used in culinary, cosmetic, and commercial expressions.”
Modern English
English
crème
“A refined or French-styled cream-based preparation, as in crème brûlée or crème fraîche.”