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Definition of shortbread

shortbread

/ˈʃɔːrtˌbrɛd/
short · bread
Plural:shortbreads
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shortbread Lexical Profile

shortbread Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A rich, crumbly type of biscuit or cookie traditionally made from one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour, originating in Scotland.

Example

"She served the afternoon tea with a plate of buttery, homemade shortbread."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for shortbread

• Nearby Words

short-horned lizard
short-snouted sea snake
short-tailed snake
shortbread
shortcake
shortfin mako shark
shortia

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in Scotland, the term dates back to the early 19th century. The word 'short' refers to the high proportion of fat (butter) to flour, which prevents long gluten strands from forming, resulting in a 'short' or crumbly texture.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shortbread. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shortbread
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