A2noun1K

Sauce

UK /["/sɔːs/"]/US /["/sɔːs/"]/

Definition

a thick liquid that is eaten with food to add taste to it

In simple words: A liquid used to add flavor to food.

Examples

  • tomato/cranberry/chilli sauce
  • chicken in a white sauce
  • ice cream with a hot fudge sauce
  • pasta sauce *(= sauce that is served with pasta)*
  • A honey-mustard dipping sauce helped add flavour to the crab cakes.
  • coconut tart served with hot chocolate sauce
  • Pour the sauce over the pasta.
  • We had lamb with mint sauce.

Usage notes

Commonly used in cooking and dining. Use 'sauce' for both sweet (like chocolate sauce) and savory (like tomato sauce) dishes. Avoid using in very formal contexts where specific sauces may be needed.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'sauce' as a 'savor' enhancer for your meal.

Collocations

  • thick
  • thin
  • buttery
  • make
  • prepare
  • reduce
  • boat
  • bottle
  • in sauce
  • with sauce

Synonyms

  • condiment
  • dressing
  • dip

Antonyms

  • plainness
  • blandness
  • dryness

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'sauce' with 'sours' which refers to a different culinary concept.
  • Using 'sauce' as a verb incorrectly, which is not standard.
  • Mispronouncing it as 'sos' instead of 'saws'.