gravy

noun

gra·​vy ˈgrā-vē How to pronounce gravy (audio)
plural gravies
Synonyms of gravynext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 The waitress had recommended the biscuits and gravy. Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026 That’s why the maple syrup in Vancouver comes in the form of a smokie sausage topped with maple bacon onion jam in a brioche bun and the popular poutine—fries loaded with beef gravy and Canadian cheese curds—features pulled short rib. Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gravy

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gravy was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gravy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravy. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

gravy

noun
gra·​vy ˈgrā-vē How to pronounce gravy (audio)
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

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