WordGarden.iounhomogenized
Pronunciation
UK
US
Meanings
Adjective
not processed so the cream or fat stays naturally separated, especially in milk
not blended or processed into a uniform sample, mixture, or material
Beyond the definition
Imagine milk straight from the cow: it's unhomogenized. This means the cream has not been broken into tiny particles and mixed evenly through the rest of the milk, so it naturally separates and rises to the top. This word is used most often for milk and other liquids, but it can also describe other materials that have not been made uniform. Think of it like a bottle of dressing before you shake it: the parts are still separate instead of smoothly mixed together.
The word "unhomogenized" means not made uniform throughout. It comes from "homogenize," which means to mix something so evenly that the different parts no longer separate easily. You will most often see this word used for milk. In unhomogenized milk, the cream is still in larger fat droplets, so it rises to the top instead of staying evenly mixed through the liquid.
This is the main use of the word, and it is also the most natural one for everyday English. It can sometimes be used for other liquids, mixtures, or materials that are still uneven, layered, or partly separate. For example, someone might talk about unhomogenized cream, an unhomogenized sauce, or a lab sample that has not been fully mixed.
Think of a jar of natural peanut butter or salad dressing before you stir or shake it. One part sits on top, another stays below, and the mixture is not smooth all the way through. That is the basic idea behind "unhomogenized." In both literal and technical use, the word suggests that the original parts are still present as separate parts rather than being fully blended into one even mixture.
Examples
- 1
Dairy product
The farm shop sells unhomogenized milk in glass bottles.
- 2
Cream separation
After a day in the fridge, the unhomogenized milk had a thick layer of cream on top.
- 3
Before pouring
If you buy unhomogenized milk, give the bottle a quick shake before you pour it.
See also
Similar
- nonhomogenized
- not homogenized
Shades of meaning
- cream-top
- unblended
Contrast
Do not confuse
- raw milk
Used with (collocations)
- unhomogenized milk
- unhomogenized cream
- unhomogenized dairy products
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unhomogenizedadjective