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

Then there’s bruising running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who runs through 300-pound defenders as if they were made of marshmallow.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 11, 2026

If that doesn't seem enough there's a special cocktail, the Transatlantic Whisky Sour, which blends Johnnie Walker with the bright citrus of marmalade, with pecan foam and a toasted marshmallow on a biscuit.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 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 there is one little thing: Okra, like marshmallow root and aloe vera, is mucilaginous, meaning it can get slimy when sliced and cooked.

From Salon ● Apr. 1, 2025

“I hope they have strawberry chocolate marshmallow swirl—they were out of it last time,” I tell him.

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper

Last month, two girls in San Diego County were airlifted to a burn center after flames went in their direction while they were roasting marshmallows on a device called Flikr Fire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

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. 12, 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

The chocolate-coated marshmallows at one stall impress Till, who is from a town near Frankfurt.

From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2025

When she looked at me with her big brown eyes, the inside of my chest felt like it was made of warm, gooey burnt marshmallows from campfire s’mores.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

Related Words

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