starch
word
Definition
A white, tasteless substance found in foods like rice, potatoes, and corn, used as a main source of energy in many diets. It can also refer to a powder used to stiffen clothes when ironing.
Usage & Nuances
Used mainly in food and laundry contexts. In food, it refers to carbohydrates in rice, potatoes, etc. In laundry, 'starch' is used as a noun or verb ("to starch a shirt"). Don’t confuse with 'sugar' (for sweetness) or 'fiber' (for digestion).
Example Sentences
Rice and potatoes are high in starch.
basic
She used starch to make the shirt crisp.
basic
Corn is a good source of starch.
basic
If you add too much starch, your clothes will feel stiff.
natural
Some people avoid foods with a lot of starch when dieting.
natural
That soup is thickened with a little starch for texture.
natural