curdled

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "curdled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a substance that has separated into solid and liquid parts, like milk that has turned into cheese or cream. For example, "The milk had curdled and turned into cheese."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pritchard, by his own reckoning, was too young for the Britpop moment, which "had all curdled" by the time he reached his teens, but he was certainly aware of the label and with all its associations, "the lads' mags and beers that came along with it".

The Guardian - Music

It is weak, watery, slightly curdled round the edges.

The Guardian - Film

After all, excess solitude has curdled my personality and my long-term health might be at risk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a column for USA Today, Mr Medved credits his medium with building real opposition to Bill Clinton in 1993, but he worries that things have curdled since then.

The Economist

It is also no surprise that Mr Erdogan is brimming with confidence.Yet critics claim that Mr Erdogan's confidence has curdled into the sort of authoritarianism that, if left unchecked, might transform Turkey into another Russia.

The Economist

It was her doing, not Mr Obama's, that kept Mr McCain out of headlines from February to June.Liberal pundits will argue to the death with Mr Halperin: it was their belief that the media was overly fond of Mr McCain and gave him, not Mr Obama, a free ride until his choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate curdled their affections.

The Economist

Once celebrated for her taut writing and devotion to social justice, her image since her death in 1984, aged 79, has curdled into something villainous.

The Economist

Now they are sheepishly making history writing down curdled mortgage investments.

The Economist

Mixed feelings must have curdled the patriotic juices when Mo Farah, born in Somalia, won the 10,000 metres, hugged his daughter and pregnant light-skinned wife.

Independent

Despite conductor Laurence Cummings's broad, purposeful beat and chiaroscuro dynamics, the sound is calcified and curdled.

Independent

Seldom is there a sense of relationships tightening, of blood-lines or curdled love.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use "curdled" to vividly depict an undesirable texture or appearance, like "curdled milk" or "curdled sauce".

Common error

Avoid overusing "curdled" to describe abstract concepts like "curdled dreams" if a more precise term exists. Ensure the imagery aligns with the literal meaning of separated solids and liquids.

Linguistic Context

The term "curdled" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective modifying nouns. Ludwig's examples show its use to describe both physical substances (e.g., "curdled milk") and abstract concepts (e.g., "curdled dreams"). It can also function as a verb in past tense (past of curdle).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "curdled" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to describe a substance that has separated into solid and liquid components. Predominantly appearing in "News & Media", it conveys deterioration or sourness, suitable for neutral registers. Ludwig examples indicate its versatile application, spanning physical descriptions like "curdled milk" to metaphorical expressions such as "curdled dreams". While synonyms such as "coagulated" or "soured" exist, "curdled" provides a specific imagery evoking unpleasant textures or conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coagulated

Similar in meaning, referring to a substance thickening into a semi-solid state.

soured

Implies a turning bad or unpleasant, akin to milk going sour.

spoiled

Suggests a state of being unfit for consumption or use due to deterioration.

deteriorated

Indicates a decline in quality or condition.

gone bad

A common expression for food that is no longer fresh or safe to eat.

turned

Simple term indicating a change to an undesirable state, like milk turning sour.

clotted

Refers to the formation of thick masses or lumps, similar to coagulation.

thickened

Implies an increase in viscosity, potentially leading to a "curdled" state.

congealed

Similar to coagulated, suggesting a solidification process.

fermented

Describes a chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, leading to changes in texture and taste, which can sometimes resemble curdling.

FAQs

How can I use "curdled" in a sentence?

You can use "curdled" to describe milk or cream that has thickened into solids, such as, "The milk had "curdled" in the refrigerator."

What does it mean when something is described as "curdled"?

When something is described as "curdled", it means it has separated into solid and liquid parts, often due to souring or coagulation. It is most often associated with milk products.

What are some synonyms for "curdled" in the context of milk?

In the context of milk, some synonyms for "curdled" include "coagulated", "soured", or "spoiled".

Is it appropriate to use "curdled" to describe emotions or feelings?

While "curdled" is primarily used to describe physical substances, it can be used metaphorically to describe emotions or feelings that have turned sour or unpleasant. For example, "His optimism had "curdled" into cynicism."