Sauce Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sauce

[sɔːs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

cooking

A liquid or semi-liquid substance served with or used in preparing food.

Synonyms

condiment, dressing, gravy.

Examples of usage

  • Add some soy sauce to the stir-fry for extra flavor.
  • The pasta was delicious thanks to the flavorful tomato sauce.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

Impudence or audacity.

Synonyms

boldness, cheek, nerve.

Examples of usage

  • He had the sauce to ask for a promotion after only a week on the job.
  • I can't believe she had the sauce to insult him like that.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To add a liquid or semi-liquid substance to food to enhance its flavor.

Synonyms

dress, flavor, season.

Examples of usage

  • Sauce the steak with the special marinade before grilling.
  • She sauced the pasta with a creamy Alfredo sauce.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'sauce'

The word 'sauce' originated from the Old French word 'sausse', which in turn came from the Latin word 'salsa' meaning 'salted'. Throughout history, sauces have played a crucial role in enhancing the flavor of dishes. Over time, the term 'sauce' has evolved to not only represent a condiment for food but also to describe impudence or audacity in a more informal context.


Word Frequency Rank

At #6,920 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.