marshmallow

American  

[mahrsh-mel-oh, -mal-oh] / ˈmɑrʃˌmɛl oʊ, -ˌmæl oʊ /

noun

• marshmallows
  plural

1. a sweetened paste or confection made from the mucilaginous root of the marsh mallow.

2. a similar confection, usually soft and spongy, made from gum arabic or gelatin, sugar, corn syrup, and flavoring.

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marshmallow British  

/ ˌmɑːʃˈmæləʊ /

noun

1. a sweet of a spongy texture containing gum arabic or gelatine, sugar, etc

2. a sweetened paste or confection made from the root of the marsh mallow

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Usage

What is the Marshmallow Test? The Marshmallow Test is a famous psychological test performed on young children in the 1960s linking delayed gratification (a treat right now … or two later?) to success later in life. A 2018 replication notably concluded, though, that socioeconomic background significantly influenced the ability of children to delay their gratification. So the test was biased.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• marshmallowy
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• marshmallows
  plural

Etymology

Origin of marshmallow

First recorded in 1905–10; see origin at marsh mallow

Explanation

A marshmallow is a sweet, soft treat. Marshmallows are sometimes melted and turned into a sugary topping for ice cream or a filling for baked goods. Marshmallows are made of gelatin and sugar, with a dusty powdered sugar surface, and they squish like a sponge when you squeeze or bite down on them. Marshmallows can be toasted over a fire to turn them slightly crisp on the outside and melty within, and sandwiched between graham crackers with chocolate to make a "s'more." The original 19th century marshmallows were made from a plant called mersc-mealwe (marsh mallow plant) in Old English.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

marshmallow marshmallows

The floor also highlights science at the White House, including an “extreme marshmallow cannon” brought there by a 14-year-old inventor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026

For example, like their caramel production, Tunnock's marshmallow is made under close human supervision.

From BBC ● Dec. 18, 2025

The S’mores cookies, graham cracker sandwich cookies with chocolate and marshmallow filling, were introduced during the 2017 Girl Scout cookie season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2025

But even his nonsensical marshmallow responses to her didn’t matter.

From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2024

I thought about the way my mother had built trails of graham-cracker crumbs and marshmallow to lure roaches from the house rather than step on them.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

As Joanne Kaufman writes, “What would summer on the beach be without chocolate and marshmallows between graham crackers—or without angst and wish fulfillment between book covers?”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

He’s just some mud-brown monstrosity roaming the Vale of Arryn and treating livestock like campfire marshmallows.

From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2026

At home with her newborn, Moore grew restless and began making candy; specifically, sea-salt caramels like the ones she’d loved in Paris, and vanilla marshmallows.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 8, 2026

But one who orders up quality stocks might be served a choice of two ETFs as far apart as mashed potatoes and marshmallows.

From Barron's ● Dec. 26, 2025

I can tell, because she is tempting me toward the door with a trail of tiny marshmallows.

From "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate

Related Words

• amiable
• cordial
• even-tempered
• friendly
• good-hearted
• good-humored
• gracious