What does sauce mean?
A sauce is a liquid or semi-liquid accompaniment served with food to add flavor, moisture, or richness. It may be made from ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices, stock, or cream, and familiar examples include tomato sauce, soy sauce, and gravy. As a verb, sauce means to add sauce to food or cover food with it. In informal British English and related varieties, the noun can also mean cheekiness or impudent behavior, as in the expression “have the sauce.” The word is useful because it describes both a familiar category of culinary preparations and, figuratively, a culturally recognizable attitude. Its culinary meaning is the dominant one today, while the figurative sense is more specific and informal.
A liquid or semi-liquid accompaniment to food, used to add flavor, moisture, or richness.
"He dipped the fried food in the spicy sauce."
Also used figuratively and informally for cheekiness or impudence.
To add sauce to food or cover food with sauce.
"She sauced the pancakes with warm syrup."
Usually transitive; it can also mean to serve or arrange food with sauce.
The plural is used for different kinds of sauces or for multiple servings or containers of sauce.
"The menu offers several sauces, including mustard and barbecue."
The word sauce entered English through French, where it developed from a Latin term associated with salted food.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sauce
The English noun entered Middle English from Old French sause. Old French sause came from a form related to Latin salsa, meaning “salted” or “seasoned with salt,” and was influenced by French saler, “to salt.” The word spread through English culinary vocabulary and was later extended to the verb meaning “to add sauce to.” Related forms include Spanish salsa and Italian salso, both associated with the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How sauce is actually used
In its culinary sense, sauce is broadly used in both British and American English. The informal sense meaning cheekiness or impudence is more common in informal British English and in global varieties of English influenced by it.
Easily confused with sauce
Sauce is a general English term for a liquid accompaniment to food, while salsa more specifically denotes a chunky or spicy sauce often made from tomatoes, chilies, and onions.