What does sherbet mean?
Sherbet is a sweet confection with several closely related regional uses. In British English, it often denotes a flavored powder mixed with water or incorporated into a fizzy drink. In North America, sherbet also commonly refers to a frozen dessert made from fruit, sugar, and milk or cream, making it similar to ice cream but usually somewhat lighter and less rich. The word can therefore describe an ingredient, a drink, or a dessert depending on context. Its vocabulary has an international history: English borrowed the word through Turkish from Persian, which had itself borrowed it from Arabic. The same broad linguistic lineage also connects sherbet with sorbet and, at a greater distance, syrup. Because sherbet can refer to both powdered drink mix and frozen dessert, speakers need to consider context and regional usage to avoid ambiguity.
nounA sweetened, often fruit-flavored confection used as a drink powder; in North America, the word also denotes a frozen dessert made from fruit, sugar, and milk or cream. In British English, sherbet may also refer to a sweet, flavored fizzy drink.
- A sweetened, flavored powder dissolved in water to make a sweet drink.
- In British English, a sweet flavored fizzy drink, often made with sherbet powder.
- In North America, a fruit-flavored frozen dessert made with sugar and milk or cream.
"She stirred a spoonful of lemon sherbet into a glass of cold water."
"The café served glasses of orange sherbet over ice."
"We bought strawberry sherbet at the market for a frozen dessert."
Sherbet powder is normally uncountable, while sherbets can refer to individual servings, varieties, or frozen desserts.
"The shop stocks several sherbets, including raspberry and lemon."
Sherbet reached English through Turkish from Persian and ultimately Arabic, following the international journey of a chilled sweet drink.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sherbet come from?
English borrowed sherbet in the 17th century from Turkish şerbet, from Persian sharbat, ultimately from Arabic sharbat, meaning “drink” or “sherbet.” The word originally referred to a cooling sweet drink and later came to include flavored powdered preparations. Sorbet developed through French and Italian from the same Arabic source, while syrup also reflects a borrowing ultimately connected with Arabic sharbat.
How sherbet is actually used
The term has regional variations. In the United States, sherbet commonly means either the flavored powder or a dairy-based frozen dessert; in British English, it is especially associated with the powder and the fizzy drink made from it. The frozen dessert is generally less rich than ice cream.
Easily confused with sherbet
Sherbet commonly contains milk or cream, whereas sorbet is a frozen fruit dessert made without dairy products.