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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

From Hailee Catalano's latest cookbook, “By Heart: Recipes to Hold Near and Dear,” this springtime sundae is “reminiscent of a cozy crumble or crisp but with a bit more lightness.”

From Salon • May 23, 2025

And one of my favorite things to have — and it’s been this way for a long time — is a hot fudge sundae.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2024

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

"The giant ice-cream sundae is from The Nutcracker," Nancy said, heading for the stairs.

From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene