starchy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starchy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe foods that are high in starch, such as potatoes, rice, or bread. An example: "The meal was filled with starchy sides like mashed potatoes and pasta." Alternative expressions include "carbohydrate-rich" and "high in starch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Top six innovations for rural farmers And instead of growing starchy staples, young farmers are diversifying crop production to increase nutrition and incomes.

The Guardian

As Ken Albala, author of Pancake: A Global History, argues, you could reasonably define pancakes as any thin disc cooked from starchy batter on a flat surface.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In fact, they hail from a land far too sun-baked to have developed much of a taste for rich, starchy rice dishes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The contrast with the starchy, stage-managed campaign visits (not to mention the staid, lobotomised annual party conferences) could hardly have been greater.Shock jocks North of the border, the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Jim Murphy, called in a television debate last night for a moratorium on another independence referendum.

The Economist

Melissa Nieves, a recipient in New York, says she compares costs at five different supermarkets, assiduously collects coupons, eats mainly cheap, starchy foods, and still runs out of money a week or ten days before the end of the month.It is also hard to argue that food-stamp recipients are undeserving.

The Economist

The breadfruit was Mau's favourite tree anyway: tall and light, with a twisty grain excellent for boat-building, sticky latex for caulking, and big starchy fruit which, fermented, made the ideal food for an ocean voyage.

The Economist

By each cash register sits a tray of assorted oden: fish-paste dumplings, chunks of giant radish, blackened eggs and grey cakes of konnyaku (devil's-tongue jelly, made from a starchy root) all swimming until thoroughly drowned in a tepid dashi broth.Yet even among the horrors of the combini a few edifying insights into Japan's relationship with its food can be gleaned.

The Economist

In Egypt subsidising starchy grains and bread has resulted in 70% of adults being overweight and 29% of under-fives being stunted.

The Economist

He is a starchy, somewhat aloof figure, ridiculed in his previous campaign for strolling disconsolately through empty supermarket aisles looking for hands to shake.

The Economist

His "fresh" diet was mostly starchy cassava and sweet potatoes cooked in pork fat.

The Economist

America's earnest, decentralised political culture does not always appeal to starchy Britons.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use "starchy" to accurately convey the high starch content, helping readers understand its nutritional profile and potential effects on blood sugar levels.

Common error

Avoid using "starchy" too often to describe personalities or situations. While it can effectively convey formality or rigidity, overuse can make your writing sound unnatural or cliché. Opt for more nuanced adjectives like "formal", "reserved", or "conventional" for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "starchy" primarily functions to describe something that contains or relates to starch. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies nouns like "staples", "batter", "rice dishes", and "foods", indicating its role in specifying the composition or nature of these items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

41%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "starchy" is an adjective primarily used to describe something containing starch, most commonly food. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, including news media and encyclopedias. While "starchy" can also figuratively describe someone as stiff or formal, this usage is less prevalent. Be mindful of context to ensure clarity and avoid overusing it in figurative senses. Understanding the semantic nuances of "starchy" enables more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

containing starch

A direct and literal way to describe the presence of starch.

rich in starch

Focuses specifically on the high starch content of something.

starch-filled

Emphasizes the abundance of starch present.

starch-based

Highlights that something is made primarily from starch.

high in carbohydrates

A broader term that encompasses all types of carbohydrates, not just starch.

starched

Describes something that has been treated with starch to make it stiff.

stiff

Refers to the quality of being rigid or firm, similar to starched fabric.

rigid

Indicates a strict and inflexible nature, mirroring the formal aspect of "starchy".

formal

Relates to the figurative meaning of "starchy" as being stiffly conventional.

unbending

Implies a lack of flexibility or adaptability, similar to a "starchy" personality.

FAQs

How is "starchy" typically used in a sentence?

"Starchy" is usually employed as an adjective to describe foods high in starch, such as "starchy vegetables" or a "starchy diet". It can also describe a stiff or formal demeanor, though less commonly.

What are some synonyms for "starchy" when describing food?

When referring to food, you can use alternatives like "rich in starch", "high in carbohydrates", or "starch-filled" to convey a similar meaning.

Can "starchy" be used to describe someone's personality?

Yes, "starchy" can describe a person's personality, implying they are stiff, formal, or lacking in warmth. However, this usage is less common than when describing food and might sound dated.

What is the difference between saying something is "starchy" versus saying it is "starched"?

"Starchy" describes something that naturally contains starch, like potatoes. "Starched" refers to something that has had starch applied to it, usually to make it stiff, such as a starched shirt. The terms aren't interchangeable.