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

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

Champagne, an ice-cream sundae cart and Saks Fifth Avenue bedding were scrumptious.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

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

So, my ideal Sunday would probably include the best impression of a Denny’s hot fudge sundae I could find: vanilla ice cream — I love Häagen-Dazs — with crushed nuts and all that.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2024

I remember laughing with Mom, forcing her to eat bites of my sundae, and taking goofy pictures that we sent to everyone else in the family.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller