sundae
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing sundae
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:
I always love to have a decaf espresso with dessert, which is either a brownie sundae or banana pudding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2026
Polaris veterans probably don’t get excited about it, but this newbie enjoyed the ice-cream sundae cart wheeled to each seat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026
Barely recognizable from “Welcome to Flatch” is Holmes as Carmen’s roommate Hailee, a rococo ice cream sundae of a person, talking a mile a minute, sweet and dim; as on “Flatch,” she is quite wonderful.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2025
On the sweet front, there are offerings like the vanilla ice cream sundae, chocolate ice cream cup and cold brew mocha freeze — sweet treats that aren’t overly fancy.
From Salon ● May 3, 2025
"I want an ice cream sundae," said Zero.
From "Holes" by Louis Sachar
Guests at Mattel’s American Girl store not too far away dine on cinnamon buns and sundaes with dolls.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025
The change came months after Mr. McDonald and a group of state party officials were invited to Mar-a-Lago, where they were treated to an hourslong meal that concluded with ice cream sundaes.
From New York Times ● Feb. 8, 2024
Kerry, powered by orange juice and ice cream sundaes during this week's marathon talks, turns 80 in December.
From Reuters ● Jul. 20, 2023
Think going from last-row economy with no recline to first class with made-to-order hot fudge sundaes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2022
All kinds of snacks and drinks were set out on the counter, including caviar, champagne, and the fixings to make ice cream sundaes.
From "Holes" by Louis Sachar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
