sundae

American  

[suhn-dey, -dee] / ˈsʌn deɪ, -di /

noun

1. ice cream served with syrup poured over it, and often other toppings, as whipped cream, chopped nuts, or fruit.

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sundae British  

/ ˈsʌndɪ, -deɪ /

noun

1. ice cream topped with a sweet sauce, nuts, whipped cream, etc

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Etymology

Origin of sundae

1890–95, perhaps special use of Sunday (with distinctive spelling)

Explanation

A sundae is a delicious ice cream concoction that might include hot fudge or caramel sauce, nuts, and whipped cream. You can order a sundae any day of the week. When you put ice cream in a dish, drip a sweet topping over it (like strawberry sauce or chocolate syrup), and add a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry, you've got a sundae. There are several competing stories about the origin of the sundae (and its name). One is that Illinois' outlawing of soda drinking on Sundays led to the dessert's invention. Several towns claim to be the sundae's birthplace, including New York City; Plainfield, Illinois; and New Orleans.

Example Sentences

The work will incorporate metal plates and bowls created by participants in the youth workshop Art Sundae, taking place Feb. 28 at Airport Park.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

All of this is foretold and symbolized in "Sundae."

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2023

He eventually played with more than 100 bands, including the Great Unwashed, the Sundae Painters and Monsterland, and lived for almost 30 years in New York, where he formed the band the Mad Scene.

From New York Times • Dec. 9, 2022

They’re mostly based around tracks found in previous Mario Kart games, but there’s one that’s brand new: an ice cream-themed course called Sky-High Sundae.

From The Verge • Jul. 28, 2022

After that day of watching him at Sundae School.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt