What does pancake mean?
A pancake is a flat, round cake made from a pourable batter cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. It may be thin and tender like a French crepe, or thicker and fluffier like the pancakes commonly served with butter and syrup at breakfast. The word is used in British and American English and covers many traditional varieties, including buckwheat, buttermilk, and oat pancakes. Pancakes are also a familiar part of everyday vocabulary because they are inexpensive, quick to prepare, and associated with family breakfasts, cafés, and weekend meals. Although related foods may be called flapjacks or hotcakes depending on region and recipe, "pancake" remains the clearest general term for this food.
nounA thin, flat cake made by pouring a batter onto a hot griddle or frying pan and cooking it until lightly browned. Pancakes are commonly served with sweet toppings such as syrup, fruit, or butter.
- A thin, flat, usually round cake made from batter and cooked on a hot griddle or in a frying pan.
"She served warm pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast."
"We had pancakes with butter and syrup."
"The recipe calls for buckwheat pancakes served with yoghurt."
The plural is used for individual pancakes and for a serving containing more than one.
"The children ate pancakes with maple syrup."
The word "pancake" literally describes the cooking vessel and the food: a cake cooked in a pan.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pancake come from?
The English word "pancake" is a compound formed from "pan" and "cake," referring to a cake cooked in a pan. The compound has been used since the early modern period, while "pancake" has also developed figurative senses based on the idea of something flat or spread out.
How pancake is actually used
The term is used in British and American English. "Flapjack" is a related regional term, while "pancake" is the most broadly understood form.
Easily confused with pancake
A pancake is generally a thicker, fluffy or cake-like griddle cake, whereas a crepe is a very thin French pancake, often folded around sweet or savoury fillings.
A blintz is a thin eastern European pancake, usually filled with cheese, fruit, or other ingredients before being folded and fried.