noun

sago

SAY-goh

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Sago (noun) means a starch produced from the pith of palms such as Metroxylon sagu, or from similar cycads, used as a flour and thickener in cooking. Example: “She stirred sago into the pudding to thicken it.”

noun

A starch produced from the pith of palms such as Metroxylon sagu, or from similar cycads, used as a flour and thickener in cooking.

"She stirred sago into the pudding to thicken it."

"Sago is a staple starch in parts of Southeast Asia."

"The recipe called for two tablespoons of sago to set the dessert."

A palm or cycad from which this starch is extracted.

"Sago grows widely across parts of the Pacific and Southeast Asia."

"Farmers planted rows of sago along the riverbank."

How to use sago

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA starchy food ingredient taken from palm or cycad plants.

When to use it

This is an everyday word in cooking contexts, especially where sago is a common food.

Memory tip

Sago pudding is the dish most English speakers will recognise the word from.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

sago pudding sago starch sago palm a bowl of sago

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “sago” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She stirred _____ into the pudding to thicken it.

Etymology

Sago comes from the Malay word sagu, and reached English either through Portuguese sagu or through Dutch sago, the spelling that matches the current English form.

Origin: Dutch

Synonyms

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sago palm

Rhymes for sago

ago Iago Jago Lago Drago Chicago lumbago Zhivago Winnebago archipelago

See all rhymes for sago →

Frequently asked questions

What is sago?

Sago is a starch taken from the pith of certain palms, or similar cycads, and used in cooking as a flour or thickener.

Where does sago come from?

Sago starch is extracted from palms such as Metroxylon sagu, as well as from palm-like cycads including Cycas revoluta.

Where does the word sago come from?

It derives from the Malay word sagu, and entered English by way of either Portuguese or Dutch.

What is the meaning of sago?

"sago" (noun) means a starch produced from the pith of palms such as Metroxylon sagu, or from similar cycads, used as a flour and thickener in cooking.