dollops

Dollops is a noun used to describe a small lump or blob of soft food or other soft substance that is typically spooned onto or into something. A dollop is usually rounded and loosely shaped, and the exact size is informal and variable, ranging from a single spoonful to several tablespoons depending on the dish and context. The term is informal and widely used in both American and British English.

In culinary contexts, dollops are common with dairy products, sauces, condiments, yogurt, whipped cream, chutneys, and soups. The phrase often conveys a sense of adding a generous, yet imprecise amount, rather than a precise measurement. Dollops can also describe non-food substances with a similar soft, blob-like quality, such as foam or cream that sits on a beverage or dessert.

As a verb, to dollop means to place or drop a dollop of something onto another substance. For example, a cook might dollop sour cream onto chili or dollop whipped cream onto dessert. The verb form emphasizes the action of adding a soft lump rather than a precise portion.

Etymology and norms: Dollop first appeared in English in the 18th or 19th century and is considered informal. The exact origin is uncertain, but the word has become a stable part of everyday language for describing a visually distinctive, rounded portion of soft material.