1 N‑UNCOUNT Cream is a thick yellowish-white liquid taken from milk. You can use it in cooking or put it on fruit or desserts. □ …strawberries and cream.
2 → see also clotted cream , double cream , single cream , sour cream , whipping cream
3 N‑UNCOUNT Cream is used in the names of soups that contain cream or milk. □ [+ of ] …cream of mushroom soup.
4 N‑VAR A cream is a substance that you rub into your skin, for example to keep it soft or to heal or protect it. □ Gently apply the cream to the affected areas. □ …sun protection creams.
5 → see also face cream
6 COLOUR Something that is cream is yellowish-white in colour. □ …cream silk stockings. □ …a cream-coloured Persian cat.
7 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] Cream is used in expressions such as the cream of society and the cream of British athletes to refer to the best people or things of a particular kind. □ [+ of ] The Ball was attended by the cream of Hollywood society. ● PHRASE You can refer to the best people or things of a particular kind as the cream of the crop .
8 → see also ice cream , peaches and cream , salad cream , shaving cream
▸ cream off
1 PHRASAL VERB To cream off part of a group of people means to take them away and treat them in a special way, because they are better than the others. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P n] The private schools cream off many of the best pupils.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a person or organization creams off a large amount of money, they take it and use it for themselves. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P n] This means smaller banks can cream off big profits during lending booms.
crea m chee se N‑UNCOUNT Cream cheese is a very rich, soft white cheese.
crea m cra ck|er (cream crackers ) N‑COUNT Cream crackers are crisp dry biscuits which are eaten with cheese. [BRIT ]
cream|er /kriː mə r / (creamers ) N‑VAR Creamer is a white powder that is used in tea and coffee instead of milk. □ …coffee whitened with a non-dairy creamer.
cream|ery /kriː məri/ (creameries ) N‑COUNT A creamery is a place where milk and cream are made into butter and cheese.
crea m of ta r|tar N‑UNCOUNT Cream of tartar is a white powder used in baking.
crea m tea (cream teas ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a cream tea is an afternoon meal that consists of tea to drink and small cakes called scones that are eaten with jam and cream. Cream teas are served in places such as tea shops.
creamy /kriː mi/ (creamier , creamiest )
1 ADJ Food or drink that is creamy contains a lot of cream or milk. □ …rich, creamy coffee. □ …a creamy chocolate and nut candy bar.
2 ADJ Food that is creamy has a soft smooth texture and appearance. □ …creamy mashed potato. □ Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.
crease /kriː s/ (creases , creasing , creased )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Creases are lines that are made in cloth or paper when it is crushed or folded. □ [+ in ] She stood up, frowning at the creases in her silk dress. □ [+ of ] Papa flattened the creases of the map with his broad hands.
2 VERB If cloth or paper creases or if you crease it, lines form in it when it is crushed or folded. □ [V ] Most outfits crease a bit when you are travelling. □ [V n] Liz sat down on the bed, lowering herself carefully so as not to crease her skirt. ● creased ADJ □ His clothes were creased, as if he had slept in them.
3 N‑COUNT Creases in someone's skin are lines which form where their skin folds when they move. □ When Crevecoeur smiled, the creases in his face deepened. ● creased ADJ □ …Jock's creased drunken face.
4 N‑SING In cricket, the crease is a line on the playing surface where the batsman stands. □ Haynes was still at the crease, unbeaten on 84.
cre|ate ◆◆◆ /krie I t/ (creates , creating , created )
1 VERB To create something means to cause it to happen or exist. □ [V n] We set business free to create more jobs in Britain. □ [V n] Criticizing will only destroy a relationship and create feelings of failure. ● crea|tion /krie I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] These businesses stimulate the creation of local jobs.
2 VERB When someone creates a new product or process, they invent it or design it. □ [V n] It is really great for a radio producer to create a show like this. SYNONYMS create VERB
1
cause: Attempts to limit family size among some minorities are likely to cause problems.
lead to: Ethnic tensions among the republics could lead to civil war.
bring about: The only way they can bring about political change is by putting pressure on the country.
2
make: She made her own bread.
form: They formed a circle and sang 'Auld Lang Syne'.
produce: The drug is known to produce side-effects in women.
invent: He invented the first electric clock.
devise: We devised a scheme to help him.
crea|tion /krie I ʃ ə n/ (creations )