plural sauces
1
a
: a liquid or semisolid food mixture used especially as a topping or ingredient for adding to or enhancing the flavor of a dish
pasta with tomato sauce
hot sauce
soy sauce
a cheese/cream sauce
desserts topped with chocolate sauce
b
: stewed fruit eaten with other food or as a dessert
cranberry sauce
see also applesauce
2
: something that adds zest, interest, or excitement
New experiences are the sauce of life.
3
: rude or impolite language or actions
I've had enough of your sauce!
4
the sauce slang
: liquor
Stay off the sauce, especially if you're taking the antibiotic metronidazole …—
Elizabeth Goodman
Elizabeth Goodmansee also secret sauce, special sauce
sauced; saucing
1
a
: to cover or serve with a sauce
b
: to dress with relish or seasoning
2
a
archaic
: to modify the harsh or unpleasant characteristics of
b
: to give zest or piquancy to
3
: to be rude or impudent to
Examples of sauce in a Sentence
Noun
She tried several sauces before she found one she liked.
chicken in a cream sauce
Cover the strawberries with the chocolate sauce.
This pizza needs more sauce.
I've had enough of your sauce!
Recent Examples on the Web
Tim Mak, Bon Appétit, 6 Mar. 2025
The same is true for granola bars and even pasta sauces.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
Carlotto’s veal chop parmesan (a dish now, happily, back in fashion) starts with a one-pound veal chop pounded to spread over the plate, sauced with simple tomato and fresh mozzarella.
—John Mariani, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sauce
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Noun
The experimentation led itself naturally to sushi paired with cream cheese, or mayonnaise, or other types of cream sauces—a departure from the subtle flavors of traditional Japanese cuisine.
—Tim Mak, Bon Appétit, 6 Mar. 2025
The same is true for granola bars and even pasta sauces.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Inspectors found a bus bin of raw chicken stored on top of tofu and sauce buckets in a cooler.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
Carlotto’s veal chop parmesan (a dish now, happily, back in fashion) starts with a one-pound veal chop pounded to spread over the plate, sauced with simple tomato and fresh mozzarella.
—John Mariani, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sauce
Cite this Entry
“Sauce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sauce. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sauce
1 of 2 noun1
: a thick liquid that is eaten with or on food to add flavor
a tangy pasta sauce
ice cream with chocolate sauce
2
: boiled or canned fruit
cranberry sauce
3
: rude or impolite language or actions
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