gravy

noun

gra·​vy ˈgrā-vē 

plural gravies

1

: a sauce made from the thickened and seasoned juices of cooked meat

2

a

: something additional or unexpected that is pleasing or valuable

… with expenses now paid, future money is pure gravy.

—K. Crossen

b

: unearned or illicit gain : graft entry 3

Synonyms of gravy

• sauce

Examples of gravy in a Sentence

The bonus he received in addition to his salary was pure gravy.

order a large serving of fries with extra gravy

Recent Examples on the Web

Nachos, liquid cheese, enchiladas drowned in red gravy and overstuffed burritos — top of mind when some people think of Mexican food — were completely foreign to them. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2026

Enjoy a steaming plate of weekend-only biscuits and gravy. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 June 2026

With chunks of meat and vegetables in a rich gravy, this food is an appealing choice for many dogs. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

The slight sweetness of the gravy-less curry is tempered with wallops of miso while curry powder seasons the ground beef more than adequately. —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gravey, from Anglo-French gravé broth, stew

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gravy

• gravy train
• redeye gravy

Rhymes for gravy

• navy
• wavy

Kids Definition

gravy

noun

gra·​vy ˈgrā-vē 

plural gravies

1

: a sauce made from the thickened and seasoned juices of cooked meat

2

: something additional or unexpected that is pleasing or valuable