a hint of butter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hint of butter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or faint flavor of butter in food or drink, often in culinary contexts. Example: "The pastry had a delightful flaky texture with a hint of butter that enhanced its richness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

With not a hint of butter.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tasting The first taste imparts a hint of butter, then the tongue detects the subtle flavour of saffron, followed by the pistachios, unrefined sugar and dried condensed milk sprinkled on top.

The Guardian - Travel

Using butter on the interior surface of the pan will result in a darker crust that has a hint of butter flavor.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The wild mushroom ravioli, listed as an appetizer, is also available in an entree portion and is a fine choice — delicate and nuanced, and graced with woodsy mushrooms and a hint of truffle butter.

The New York Times

Cream of carrot soup with a hint of peanut butter costs £1.25, pizzas and oscypek (salted sheep's cheese) salads from £3.85, or falafels and other mains from £4.20.

The Guardian - Travel

Above it, apples and honey dominate the scent, complemented by an herbal element and a hint of cocoa butter.

Forbes

The Chardonnay here has range, thanks to ample experiments by winemakers to make wine with a slight hint of butter and oak, and not the other way round.

Huffington Post

And for those customers who haven't experienced them yet, the lobster rolls fresh, sweet, with just a hint of mayonnaise, lemon butter and spices are a really delicious way to help.

Forbes

It's got plenty of richness and a hint of nuttiness, without any butter in sight.

The Washington Post

Such inversions abound: a dish of mustard arrives atop a pork chop, accompanied by a helping of salt with a hint of kale and a side of butter garnished with grits.

The New Yorker

The taste of the peanut butter soup, for example, comes in stages: a swoosh of palm oil, the dense flavor of peanut butter, a hint of tomato, and finally, the warm glow of African hot pepper.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use "a hint of butter" to subtly suggest a pleasant, rich flavor without overpowering other ingredients. This creates anticipation and enhances the overall sensory experience.

Common error

Avoid using "a hint of butter" when the butter flavor is prominent. Overusing this phrase can mislead readers and diminish the impact of the actual buttery taste when it is intended to be significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hint of butter" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a subtle quality or characteristic of something, typically related to food or cooking. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hint of butter" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes a subtle buttery flavor or aroma, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It’s most commonly found in news and media contexts and, to a lesser extent, in wiki articles. While its frequency is relatively rare, the phrase effectively communicates a delicate buttery presence, enhancing descriptions in culinary and related fields. When using "a hint of butter", it's important to ensure the butter flavor is indeed subtle to avoid misleading the reader. Alternatives like "a touch of butter" or "slight buttery note" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a touch of butter

Changes "hint" to "touch", indicating a slightly more noticeable presence of butter.

a trace of butter

Replaces "hint" with "trace", suggesting an even fainter amount of butter.

a suggestion of butter

Substitutes "hint" with "suggestion", implying a more subtle and less direct butter flavor.

a whisper of butter

Uses "whisper" instead of "hint" to convey an extremely delicate and subtle buttery taste.

slight buttery note

Replaces "hint of butter" with "slight buttery note", focusing on the flavor characteristic.

subtle butter flavor

Emphasizes the "flavor" and describes it as "subtle", changing the structure of the original phrase.

delicate buttery essence

Uses "essence" to describe the characteristic butter flavor, suggesting a refined and subtle presence.

barely perceptible butter taste

Expresses the subtlety by stating the butter taste is "barely perceptible", changing the phrase structure.

a faint buttery aroma

Shifts the focus from taste to smell with "aroma", indicating a subtle buttery scent rather than flavor.

lightly buttered

Changes the phrase to an adjective describing something that has been lightly buttered.

FAQs

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

You can use "a hint of butter" to describe a subtle buttery flavor in food, such as "The sauce had "a hint of butter" which made it richer."

What's a good alternative to "a hint of butter"?

Alternatives include "a touch of butter", "a trace of butter", or "slight buttery note". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a hint of butter" or "buttery"?

Saying "buttery" describes something that tastes strongly of butter, while "a hint of butter" suggests a more subtle presence. The better choice depends on the intensity of the butter flavor you want to describe.

What does "a hint of butter" imply about the dish?

"A hint of butter" implies that the dish has a very subtle buttery flavor, used to enhance the other flavors without being overpowering. It suggests a delicate and refined taste.