bread-and-but·ter
ˈbred-ən(d)-ˈbə-tər 
1
a
: being as basic as the earning of one's livelihood
bread-and-butter issues
b(1)
: reliable
our bread-and-butter repertoire
(2)
: dependable as a source of income
a company's bread-and-butter products
2
: sent or given as thanks for hospitality
a bread-and-butter letter
: a means of sustenance or livelihood
Examples of bread-and-butter in a Sentence
Noun
Casual clothing has always been the company's bread and butter.
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
The remedy, many concluded, lies in turning a bit to the right, downplaying such issues as climate change and paying more attention to bread-and-butter concerns.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 8 July 2025
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
But if Djokovic has turned this style of tennis into his late-career bread and butter, then Sinner is its apex predator.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bread-and-butter
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Adjective
Sweet pickles: Varieties like bread-and-butter pickles have sugar and vinegar in the brine, which help to preserve them.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
The remedy, many concluded, lies in turning a bit to the right, downplaying such issues as climate change and paying more attention to bread-and-butter concerns.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 8 July 2025
Noun
Always proud of his fastball-slider combo, Rodón previously said that he’s become less stubborn about sticking to his bread and butter as his secondary stuff has improved.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
But if Djokovic has turned this style of tennis into his late-career bread and butter, then Sinner is its apex predator.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bread-and-butter
Cite this Entry
“Bread-and-butter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bread-and-butter. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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