gravy

[ grey-vee ]

noun

, plural gra·vies.

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.

gravy

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravy¹

1350–1400; 1905–10 gravy fordef 2; Middle English gravé, gravey < Old French gravé, perhaps misreading of grané (compare grain spice) < Latin granātus full of grains. See grain, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravy¹

C14: from Old French gravé, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

He questioned whether the government was dragging the "issue out to exhaust victims until their deaths" and if the scheme has become a "gravy train" for its lawyers.

From BBC

Because there’s only so much money for the leader to throw around, and the more people there are on the gravy train, the less there is for each individual insider.

From Salon

He questions whether the government is dragging the "issue out to exhaust victims until their deaths" and if the scheme has become a "gravy train" for its lawyers.

From BBC

“Somebody would open up a can, for example, meats and gravy,” she says.

From BBC

"Every bit of success is gravy but I just always think 'I need to go and write the next thing now.'"

From BBC

Related Words

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