gravy

American  

[grey-vee] / ˈgreɪ vi /

noun

gravies plural

1. the fat and juices that drip from cooking meat, often thickened, seasoned, flavored, etc., and used as a sauce for meat, potatoes, rice, etc.

2. Slang.

   1. profit or money easily obtained or received unexpectedly.

   2. money illegally or dishonestly acquired, especially through graft.

3. something advantageous or valuable that is received or obtained as a benefit beyond what is due or expected.

---

gravy British  

/ ˈɡreɪvɪ /

noun

1. 1. the juices that exude from meat during cooking

   2. the sauce made by thickening and flavouring such juices

2. slang money or gain acquired with little effort, esp above that needed for ordinary living

3. slang wonderful; excellent

   it's all gravy

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• gravies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of gravy

1350–1400; 1905–10 gravy for def. 2; Middle English gravé, gravey < Old French gravé, perhaps misreading of grané (compare grain spice) < Latin granātus full of grains. See grain, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

She is unsubtly telling Maine voters that this gravy train has only just left the station.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2026

Like many of the ingredients in this story, gravy packets work best when viewed less as a finished product and more as a seasoning blend—one designed to add a little extra gravity to dinner.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

Dominion has been riding the gravy train for years, but its shareholders haven’t gotten any gravy.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Consider any positivity that comes from the Oklahoma City series as pure gravy.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

Mom wanted to go to a restaurant, but Dad found out it was cheaper to order a precooked turkey, gravy, stuffing, and sides from the grocery store.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Related Words

• benefit
• dividend
• extra
• gratuity
• guerdon
• pay dirt
• perk
• windfall