pudding
/ˈpʊd.ɪŋ/
In American English, it refers specifically to a smooth, creamy, custard-like dessert. It evokes a sense of comfort and childhood simplicity, typically associated with a soft texture and sweetness.
In British English, the term is far broader. It can refer to any dessert (the 'sweet' course) or a savory steamed dish (like "black pudding" or "Yorkshire pudding"). In this context, it carries a connotation of hearty, traditional home cooking.
The word often implies a dense or soft consistency. When used metaphorically in phrases like "the proof is in the pudding," it suggests that the true value of something can only be judged by experiencing the final result.
Countable when referring to a specific type or individual serving of the dish (e.g., I bought three different puddings). Uncountable when referring to the substance or the general category of food (e.g., there is too much pudding on the plate).
💬Casual Conversation
Please tell me you actually remembered the butterscotch pudding for your mom.
Please tell me you actually remembered the butterscotch pudding for your mom.
Uh oh. That totally slipped my mind. My brain's been swamped with synergy meetings.
Uh oh. That totally slipped my mind. My brain's been swamped with synergy meetings.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
Christmas pudding
A rich, steamed dessert traditionally eaten at Christmas, made with dried fruit, suet, and spices.
We always have Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert.
bread and butter pudding
A baked dessert made from layers of buttered bread, fruit, and custard.
My grandmother's bread and butter pudding is a family favorite.
sticky toffee pudding
A moist sponge cake made with chopped dates, covered in a toffee sauce.
For dessert, I ordered the sticky toffee pudding.
rice pudding
A dessert made from rice, milk or cream, and sugar, often flavored with vanilla or cinnamon.
She likes to eat rice pudding warm with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
suet pudding
A pudding made with suet, often steamed and served with sweet or savory accompaniments.
The menu included a traditional suet pudding with jam.
Idioms & Sayings
the proof of the pudding is in the eating
The true value or success of something can only be judged when it is tried or tested.
He claims his new system is revolutionary, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
pudding basin
A deep bowl, typically made of ceramic, used for steaming puddings.
She greased the pudding basin before adding the mixture.
Etymology
The word 'pudding' originates from the Old French word 'boudin', which referred to a type of sausage. This likely came from the Latin 'botellus', meaning 'small sausage'. Initially, 'pudding' in English referred to a type of savory sausage or a dish of meat mixed with grain and other ingredients, often boiled in a bag or casing. Over time, especially in British English, the meaning broadened to include sweet, soft, baked, or steamed desserts, which is the predominant meaning today. The transition from savory to sweet dishes occurred gradually through the centuries.