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
Synonyms
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
Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Start with the prime beef meatballs, follow with hand cut pasta topped with short rib Bolognese and finish with a showstopper: a flaming meringue torte, singed tableside and then covered in a warm chocolate sauce.
—Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Brianna Crane, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
Americans are also sauce fiends because there are so many kinds sold to them.
—Whizy Kim, Vox, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sauce 
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Noun
An example of an unexpected ingredient is anchovies in a ragu sauce or sautéed with capers and garlic for chicken thighs.
—Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Start with the prime beef meatballs, follow with hand cut pasta topped with short rib Bolognese and finish with a showstopper: a flaming meringue torte, singed tableside and then covered in a warm chocolate sauce.
—Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
World Pasta Day: Pick your favorite noodle and sauce pairing from Lola & Giuseppe's Trattoria.
—Brianna Crane, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
Americans are also sauce fiends because there are so many kinds sold to them.
—Whizy Kim, Vox, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sauce
Dictionary Entries Near sauce
Cite this Entry
“Sauce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sauce. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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