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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. the juices that exude from meat during cooking

    2. the sauce made by thickening and flavouring such juices

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

  2. slang wonderful; excellent

    it's all gravy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

From Slate Jun. 16, 2026

Brown and mushroom gravy packets occupy a similar corner of my pantry.

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

"And a vat of gravy," Fredo cracked, but Simeon didn't laugh.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

It’s a rich taste, common in soups, gravies, cheeses, and soy sauce.

From NewsForKids.net May 16, 2024

The 4-acre facility, which can produce up to 25 tons of chowders, soups and gravies a day, seven days a week, has seen a recent leveling-off in shipping costs for some ingredients.

From Seattle Times Sep. 9, 2022

But wait, what about the gravy — how long do dairy-based gravies last?

From Salon Nov. 24, 2021

Folse said the “black pot cooking” of Louisiana, where gumbos, gravies and vegetables simmer slowly in cast iron, has its roots in the Caribbean and before that in West Africa.

From Washington Times Dec. 15, 2019

Always perfectly seasoned, typically served with delicious gravies or sauces.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

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