Creamy describes something with the smooth, rich, thick texture of cream. When you stir cream into hot chocolate, it becomes creamy: velvety and luxurious rather than thin and watery. A creamy soup coats your spoon instead of running right off. Creamy mashed potatoes are smooth without lumps, and creamy peanut butter spreads easily because it has no crunchy bits.

The word can describe foods that don't actually contain cream but have that same smooth, rich quality. Avocados are naturally creamy. A perfectly ripe banana becomes creamy when you mash it. Some cheeses are firm and crumbly, while others are soft and creamy.

Beyond food, creamy describes anything with a similar smooth, thick texture. You might prefer a creamy lotion that feels rich on your skin, or notice that one paint color looks creamier than another because it's softer and less stark. The word suggests something pleasant and indulgent: creamy things feel luxurious and satisfying in a way that thin or rough things don't.