plural sugars
1
a
: a sweet substance usually in the form of white or brown crystals or white powder that comes from plants and is used to make foods sweeter
Would you pass the sugar, please?
Do you take sugar in your coffee?
a lump/cube/packet of sugar
b
: the amount of sugar in one spoonful, lump, packet, etc.
Coffee with two sugars and milk, please.
2
technical
: any one of various substances that are found in plants and that your body uses or stores for energy
—usually plural
Everyone's body metabolizes sugars differently.
Simple sugars are easier to digest than complex sugars.
3
informal
: the amount of sugar present in a person's blood at a particular time
Her sugar (level) is very high.
called also blood sugar
4
chiefly US, informal
—used to address someone you like or love
"Hey, sugar [=honey], how are you doing?"
sugars; sugared; sugaring
1
: to put sugar on or in (something)
The clean fruit is then dried and sugared.
She sugared her coffee.
2
US
: to make maple syrup or maple sugar by boiling sap from maple trees
They've been sugaring since they were children.
Cite this Entry
“Sugar.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sugar. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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