gravy

American  

[grey-vee] / ˈgreɪ vi /

noun

plural

gravies

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.

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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

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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

It forgoes the sticky glaze in favor of a deep brown gravy that pools and clings.

From Salon

In Italian, scarpetta involves the scooping up of the leftover gravy.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the beans and potatoes were cooking, I figured that I’d make some flour gravy.

From Literature

Sitting at the kitchen table, as if he ate there every day, was Coogie Jackson, digging into a plate of biscuits and ham gravy.

From Literature

His hand came down on the edge of a plate, which sailed into the air, spraying gravy across the room.

From Literature

Related Words

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