Egg yolks Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈɛɡ.joʊks/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

The yellow part of an egg that surrounds the yolk, often used as a cooking ingredient or food additive.

Examples

• The recipe called for mixing the egg yolks with sugar and butter.
• Egg yolks are a key ingredient in making mayonnaise.

Synonyms

• Yolk
• Zest

Etymology

The word “egg yolks” comes from Old English “egg” and “yolk”, with the first recorded use dating back to the 14th century.

Usage Notes

Egg yolks are often used in baked goods, sauces, and dressings. They are a key ingredient in many recipes, including hollandaise sauce, mayonnaise, and creme brûlée.

Cultural References

Egg yolks have been a staple in many cuisines throughout history, including French, Italian, and Chinese cooking. They are also a key ingredient in many traditional dishes, such as Japanese tamagoyaki and Mexican chilaquiles.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“Egg yolks” is often used as a metaphor for something valuable or desirable, as in “she’s the golden egg yolks of the company” or “he’s the cream of the crop, the egg yolks of the team”.

Related Words or Phrases

• Egg white
• Yolk sac
• Pulp

Collocations

• Egg yolks and sugar
• Egg yolks and butter
• Egg yolks and vinegar

Frequency of Use

Egg yolks are a common ingredient in many recipes, and their use is widespread in the culinary world. According to the Oxford English Corpus, “egg yolks” is used approximately 1.4 times per 100 million words in modern English language.

Common Misspellings

• egg yolks
• yolks
• yolke