a chunk of butter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a chunk of butter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a piece or portion of butter, often in cooking or food contexts. Example: "For the recipe, you will need a chunk of butter to sauté the vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Add a chunk of butter to the hot beer.

The New Yorker

As an appetizer, a few slices of very good French ham — jambon d'Auvergne — were served with a chunk of butter and good bread.

The New York Times - Travel

The chef cut a chunk of butter from a block, dropped it into a broad-bottomed pot and put the pot on a flat-top burner set to low.

The New York Times - Food

Take a different skillet and melt a chunk of butter.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Place a chunk of peanut butter (crunchy, of course) halfway down the tubes and leave them in various parts of the garden for small mammals to walk through and leave the calligraphy of their footprints on the paper.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe I'd have ordered his aged rump steak, cut two inches thick, rare inside, a crisp smoky crust on the outside, a chunk of anchovy butter on top, plus a bottle or two of Penfolds Grange shiraz to wash it all down.

The New York Times - Food

Take the other slice of bread and spread a chunk of peanut butter on it.

WikiHow

Melt a big chunk of butter in a Dutch oven, season the rabbit and roast the pieces until they are brown and lay them separately for a while.

WikiHow

Alternatively, place a healthy chunk of butter or margarine on a knife (better yet, use a fork ant let the steam melt the butter so it flows through the prongs)and then move the knife in a horizontal pattern across the body of the ear of corn.

WikiHow

We watched as a huge chunk of butter was stirred into a risotto sprinkled liberally with Parmigiano and toma cheeses.

The New York Times - Food

"Oh, I can almost feel it piling on to my thighs!" exclaimed a member of our party, as he fed an enormous chunk of butter into a food-processor.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a chunk of butter" in a recipe, specify the approximate size (e.g., "a tablespoon-sized chunk") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a chunk of butter" when precision is needed; instead, use measured amounts like "tablespoons" or "grams" to ensure consistent results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chunk of butter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "melt a chunk of butter") or as a complement describing quantity. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a chunk of butter" is a grammatically sound noun phrase commonly used in culinary contexts to denote an unspecified amount of butter. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. While the phrase is straightforward, specify the amount of butter for precision, especially in baking. Alternative phrases include "a piece of butter" or "a knob of butter". Given its frequent appearance in News & Media and Wiki sources, it's appropriate for neutral to informal settings. Keep in mind its a rare expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piece of butter

General term for some quantity of butter.

lump of butter

Similar to "a chunk of butter" but suggesting irregular shape.

a pat of butter

Refers to a small, pre-portioned amount of butter, often used for individual servings.

a slab of butter

Suggests a thick, flat piece of butter.

a knob of butter

Describes a small, undefined amount of butter, often used in cooking.

a dollop of butter

Implies a soft, rounded mass of butter, suggesting a more generous quantity.

a block of butter

Refers to butter in its original, solid form as purchased.

butter portion

Concise way to refer to a single serving of butter.

butter serving

Another phrase to indicate quantity of butter.

a portion of butter

More formal way of referring to an amount of butter.

FAQs

How can I use "a chunk of butter" in a sentence?

You can use "a chunk of butter" when describing a piece of butter being added to a recipe or meal, for example, "Melt "a chunk of butter" in a pan before adding the garlic."

What's the difference between "a chunk of butter" and "a pat of butter"?

"A chunk of butter" refers to an unspecified, irregular piece of butter, while "a pat of butter" typically refers to a small, pre-portioned serving, often individually wrapped.

What can I say instead of "a chunk of butter"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a piece of butter", "a lump of butter", or "a knob of butter".

When is it appropriate to use "a chunk of butter" in a recipe?

It's appropriate when the exact amount of butter isn't critical, and a rough estimate is sufficient. However, for precise baking or cooking, specify the amount in tablespoons or grams for best results.