sifter

/ˈsɪf.tɚ/

utensil for sifting

Use a sifter to remove lumps from the flour before baking.

A kitchen tool used to separate fine particles from coarser ones, typically for dry ingredients like flour.

technical

A utensil with a mesh screen used to separate fine particles from coarser ones, often for dry ingredients like flour or powdered sugar.

The recipe calls for sifting the dry ingredients to avoid clumps.

A step in baking where dry ingredients are passed through a mesh to ensure even texture.

Common in baking to aerate ingredients and remove impurities. Can also refer to a sieve or strainer in some contexts.

figurative

A person or thing that examines or evaluates something carefully, often to separate the good from the bad.

She acts as a sifter of truth in online debates.

A person who critically evaluates information to distinguish facts from misinformation.

Less common but used metaphorically to describe someone who filters or judges content.

Collocations

flour siftera sifter specifically for floursift throughto examine something carefully

Synonyms

sieve strainer filter

Antonyms

lump clump

Pro Tip

Choose the right sifter

For fine powders like powdered sugar, use a sifter with a fine mesh. For coarser ingredients like cornmeal, a sieve with larger holes may suffice.

Gold Rule

Sifting is not optional in baking

Skipping sifting can result in lumpy batter or uneven texture in baked goods. Always sift dry ingredients unless the recipe specifies otherwise.

Word Origin

From the verb 'sift' (Old English 'siftan', related to 'sieve'), with the suffix '-er' indicating an agent or tool. The word has been used in English since the 14th century.

Usage Notes

Primarily used in cooking contexts. The figurative sense is rare and usually appears in informal or metaphorical language.

Word Breakdown

sift

to separate fine particles from coarser ones

root

-er

suffix indicating a tool or agent

suffix

English Dictionary