What does defoamed mean?
Defoamed is an adjective meaning deprived of foam or froth. It is commonly used for beverages, broths, and other liquids from which bubbles or froth have been removed, especially in brewing, food preparation, and technical descriptions. As the past participle of the verb defoam, it also describes the completed action of removing foam: a brewer might refer to the beer as defoamed after skimming or controlling its foam. The word is more precise than simply describing something as flat, since flat can also suggest a taste, texture, or emotional quality. Defoamed is common in British and American English, though it is specialized rather than everyday vocabulary. It is useful whenever the presence or removal of bubbles is relevant, distinguishing a smooth liquid from one that retains its froth or head.
Deprived of foam or froth; having had its foam removed.
"The café served a defoamed espresso topped with a thin layer of crema."
Especially common in culinary, brewing, and technical descriptions.
The past tense and past participle of defoam: removed foam or froth from.
"The technician defoamed the solution before placing it under the microscope."
From bubbles to broth, defoamed describes a liquid that has been stripped of its froth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of defoamed
The English formation defoam combines the prefix de-, meaning removal or reversal, with foam, a noun inherited from Old English fām. Its verb means to remove foam from a liquid, while defoamed functions as both the past participle and an adjective describing the result. Related English formations include foamy, meaning full of foam, and antifoam, denoting a substance or process that suppresses foam.
Related word forms
How defoamed is actually used
Defoamed is chiefly used in culinary, brewing, and technical contexts. It is more specific than foamless because it can describe the result of removing foam as well as a liquid or substance that contains no foam.
Easily confused with defoamed
Defoamed means deprived of foam, whereas deformed means misshapen or distorted.