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.

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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

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

It leans into mushroomy depth, black pepper heat and a proper gravy instead of sweetness, trading nostalgia for something more deliberate.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

Dr Paula Briggs, an NHS consultant in sexual and reproductive health, describes it as a "gravy train" where people end up paying a lot of money for something they do not need.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Like as not, all else her folks would have was fried fatback, cream gravy, and corn pone.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Related Words

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