curdle

/ˈkʌrdl/

/ˈkʌdəl/

Other forms: curdled; curdles

When things curdle, they turn from liquid gradually to solid, forming clumps along the way. If you leave milk out of the refrigerator long enough, it will curdle.

When a liquid curdles, it forms curds, or lumpy solid masses. In some cases this is deliberate, as when you make cheese or tofu. Other times, you might accidentally let something curdle, like a custard or sauce, or a forgotten container of cream at the back of your refrigerator. Curdle was originally crudle, from crud (later curd), "any coagulated substance," or "congeal."

Definitions of curdle

1. verb

   go bad or sour
   “The milk curdled”

   type of:

   go bad, spoil

   become unfit for consumption or use
2. verb

   turn from a liquid to a solid mass
   “his blood curdled”

   type of:

   clot, coagulate

   change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
3. verb

   turn into curds
   “curdled milk”

   synonyms: clabber, clot

   antonyms:

   homogenise

   become homogeneous or similar, as by mixing

   homogenise

   break up the fat globules of

   homogenize

   break up the fat globules of

   homogenise, homogenize

   cause to become equal or homogeneous as by mixing

   type of:

   change state, turn

   undergo a transformation or a change of position or action