Meaning & use
Leavening
Last updated
A substance, such as yeast or baking powder, that causes dough or batter to rise by producing gas.
See it in a sentence
Baking soda acts as a leavening agent when combined with an acidic ingredient.
The recipe calls for enough leavening to make the bread rise properly overnight.
A note on using this word
Figuratively, "leavening" can also describe any small influence that lightens or transforms a situation, as in "a leavening of humor."
Words with a similar meaning
leavenraising agent
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
Causing something to become lighter, more lively, or more moderate through a small added influence.
A bit of humor was leavening the otherwise tense meeting.
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