A donut is a sweet, round pastry that is usually fried and often covered with sugar, glaze, or icing. It may also have a hole in the middle, though some donuts are filled instead.
People use the word donut when talking about a snack or dessert they buy from a bakery, café, or shop. It is common at breakfast, with coffee, or as a treat during the day. In everyday English, people may also say doughnut, which means the same thing.
Meaning & Usage
Donut usually refers to the food itself, not anything else. People often choose a donut for a quick sweet snack, at work, school, or when meeting friends.
Examples
She bought a chocolate donut with her coffee.
The kids wanted donuts for breakfast.
He ate a filled donut after lunch.
Is “donut” the same as “doughnut”?
Yes. Donut and doughnut mean the same thing. “Donut” is just the shorter, more common spelling in many places.
How do people usually eat donuts?
People usually eat donuts as a snack, dessert, or breakfast food. They are often served with coffee or milk.