donut
UK: ˈdəʊnʌt | US: ˈdoʊnʌt
n. a small, ring-shaped cake made of sweetened dough, typically deep-fried and often topped with glaze or sprinkles.
donut = do<dough> + nut<small rounded shape>
- do (from "dough"): Refers to the soft mixture of flour, liquid, and other ingredients used in baking.
- nut: Originally used to describe small, rounded objects (e.g., "a nut of dough"), later applied to the shape of the fried pastry.
Etymology Origin:
The word "donut" is a clipped and simplified form of "doughnut," first recorded in the early 19th century. The "nut" component reflects the pastry's compact, rounded shape, akin to a nut. Over time, the spelling "donut" became popularized in American English, partly due to branding (e.g., Dunkin' Donuts) and linguistic streamlining.
She bought a chocolate-glazed donut for breakfast.
The bakery sells donuts in dozens with various toppings.
He prefers cake donuts over the yeast-raised ones.
The office meeting included coffee and a box of donuts.
A jelly-filled donut spilled powdered sugar on her shirt.