Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of crusty bread: "French bread" refers to a style of bread characterized by a crisp, golden-brown crust and a soft, airy interior. It is traditionally made from basic ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt.
   • Specific shape: It is often, but not exclusively, baked in long, slender, tapered loaves known as baguettes.

Usage

• As a countable noun (for individual loaves):
  • I bought a French bread for dinner.
  • Could you pick up two French breads from the bakery?
• As an uncountable noun (for the substance/food):
  • I love the taste of French bread with soup.
  • This recipe calls for stale French bread.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The bakery on the corner makes the best French bread in town.
  • We served cheese and pâté with slices of French bread.
  • A classic French bread has a chewy crust and large, irregular holes inside.

Advanced Usage

• "French bread" as a culinary category: The term can encompass various shapes beyond the baguette, such as (shorter, wider loaves) or (thinner loaves), provided they adhere to the characteristic crust and crumb texture.
  • The artisanal bakery offered several types of French bread, including classic baguettes and rustic batards.

Variants and Related Words

• Baguette (n): The most iconic form of French bread; a long, thin loaf.
  • She carried a fresh baguette under her arm.
• Sourdough (n): A bread leavened with a fermented starter, which some, but not all, French bread is made from, as indicated in the reference definition.
  • The tangy flavor of sourdough French bread is delicious.

Synonyms

• Baguette: Specifically denotes the long, thin shape.
• Crusty bread: Describes the key textural feature.
• Artisan bread: May overlap, emphasizing traditional, non-industrial production methods.

Related Phrases

• French bread pizza: A quick meal made by topping a split loaf of French bread with sauce, cheese, and other ingredients before baking.
  • We made French bread pizza for a fast and easy dinner.
• French bread loaf: A redundant but sometimes used phrase to emphasize a whole, uncut loaf.
  • Please slice the French bread loaf for the table.

Noun

1. a crusty sourdough bread often baked in long slender tapered loaves or baguettes