English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

marshmallow

mahsh-MA-loh
Quiz me More like this

Marshmallow (noun) means a soft, spongy sweet made from sugar or corn syrup and gelatin, whipped to a fluffy texture. Example: “They roasted marshmallows over the campfire until they turned golden.”

noun
1
A soft, spongy sweet made from sugar or corn syrup and gelatin, whipped to a fluffy texture.
"They roasted marshmallows over the campfire until they turned golden."
"She dropped a marshmallow into her hot chocolate."
2
A plant related to the mallow family that grows in marshy ground, from whose root the original confection was made.
"The marshmallow plant produces pale pink flowers in late summer."

How to use marshmallow

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe soft, squishy white sweet you roast on a stick, named after the marsh plant it was originally made from.

Common pairings
toasted marshmallow marshmallow fluff roast marshmallows
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like marshmallow.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
marshmallows
Third person singular
marshmallows
Past tense
marshmallowed
Test yourself on “marshmallow” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They roasted _____ over the campfire until they turned golden.

Etymology

Named for the marsh mallow plant — ancient confectioners made the original sweet from the plant's sticky root sap before switching to modern gelatin and sugar.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for marshmallow

See all rhymes for marshmallow →

Frequently asked questions

What does “marshmallow” mean?
The word “marshmallow” means a soft, spongy sweet made from sugar or corn syrup and gelatin, whipped to a fluffy texture. In plain terms, the soft, squishy white sweet you roast on a stick, named after the marsh plant it was originally made from.
How do you pronounce “marshmallow”?
“Marshmallow” is pronounced mahsh-MA-loh (/ˈmɑɹʃˌmɛl.oʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “marshmallow” in a sentence?
Here is “marshmallow” used in a sentence: “They roasted marshmallows over the campfire until they turned golden.”
What part of speech is “marshmallow”?
“Marshmallow” is a noun.
Where does the word “marshmallow” come from?
The word “marshmallow” comes from Latin. Named for the marsh mallow plant — ancient confectioners made the original sweet from the plant's sticky root sap before switching to modern gelatin and sugar.
How many meanings does “marshmallow” have?
“Marshmallow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, spongy sweet made from sugar or corn syrup and gelatin, whipped to a fluffy texture.

Featured in