CEFR C1

curdle

verb

Meaning

Separate into curds and whey, or thicken into a lumpy consistency, typically due to heat, acid, or age.

Examples

The sauce began to curdle because the heat was too high.
Adding lemon juice to the cream caused it to curdle instantly.

Synonyms: thicken, coagulate, clot, congeal

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curdle (C1)

verb

Pronunciation: /ˈkɜːrdəl/

Definition

Separate into curds and whey, or thicken into a lumpy consistency, typically due to heat, acid, or age.

Examples

The sauce began to curdle because the heat was too high.
Adding lemon juice to the cream caused it to curdle instantly.
The milk had started to curdle, so we had to throw it away.

How to Use curdle

curdle into (prepositional phrase): to transform into a specific lumpy state — "The mixture will curdle into a grainy texture if not stirred constantly."
make [something] curdle (collocation): to cause the separation of solids and liquids — "The acidity of the vinegar will make the milk curdle."

Synonyms of curdle

Words with a similar meaning to curdle:

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