sundae

noun

sun·​dae ˈsən-(ˌ)dā How to pronounce sundae (audio) -dē How to pronounce sundae (audio)
plural sundaes
: a dish consisting of ice cream served with toppings (such as crushed fruit, syrup, nuts, or whipped cream)
… at about 700 locations, the company is testing "dessert stations" behind the counter where employees can make sundaes topped with cake or brownie chunks.Candice Choi
According to the legend, the ice-cream sundae was first concocted in 1881 at a soda fountain at 1404 15th Street, Two Rivers. The addition of chocolate increased its cost, and to limit the demand, it was sold on Sunday only.David Woodward
On the sweet side, area eateries have plenty of tempting treats to help you keep your cool—like the "Unicorn Junior," a tasty, quirky take on the traditional ice cream sundae made with cotton candy ice cream, marshmallow sauce and a magical scoop of Lucky Charms.Kathy Bossa

Examples of sundae in a Sentence

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.
The origin story behind the ice cream sundae comes swirled with mystery, history, as well as chocolate and even a cherry on top. Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025 No Madison visit is complete without a taste of Dairyland’s frozen delights, and luckily there are plenty of places to get your hands on one: Michael’s Frozen Custard has been a beloved local institution since 1986, serving creamy scoops, turtle sundaes, malts and take-home pints. Regan Stephens, People.com, 16 July 2025 The menu is brief and, on paper, somewhat predictable: a tiramisu, Italian cookies, an ice-cream sundae. Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 6 July 2025 McDonald's customers can still order other flavors of the McFlurry, including the Oreo and the M&M McFlurry. Dessert menu offerings also include a vanilla ice cream cone, milkshakes, and a hot fudge or caramel sundae. Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sundae

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of Sunday

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sundae was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

“Sundae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sundae. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sundae

noun
sun·​dae ˈsən-dē How to pronounce sundae (audio)
: a serving of ice cream topped with fruit, syrup, or nuts

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