noun
Uncommon
soy
soy
Soy (noun) means a salty sauce made by fermenting soybeans, used widely in East Asian cooking. Example: “Add a splash of soy sauce to the stir-fry.”
noun
1
A salty sauce made by fermenting soybeans, used widely in East Asian cooking.
"Add a splash of soy sauce to the stir-fry."
"The sushi was served with a small dish of soy and some wasabi."
"She dipped a dumpling into a bowl of soy before eating it."
2
Soybeans themselves, or protein and products derived from them.
"The recipe calls for soy milk instead of dairy."
"Tofu is made from soy and is a popular source of protein."
"Many farmers in the region grow soy as well as wheat."
"This diet doesn't let me eat soy."
"These candles are made from soy."
"The soy crop is looking good this year."
How to use soy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bean, or the fermented sauce made from it.
Common pairings
soy sauce
soy milk
soy protein
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Word forms
- Plural
- soys
- Third person singular
- soys
- Past tense
- soyed
- Comparative
- more soy, soyer
- Superlative
- most soy, soyest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Add a splash of _____ sauce to the stir-fry.
Etymology
Borrowed via Dutch soja from Japanese shōyu, ultimately from Chinese characters meaning "bean paste" + "oil."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for soy
See all rhymes for soy →Frequently asked questions
What does “soy” mean?
The word “soy” means a salty sauce made by fermenting soybeans, used widely in East Asian cooking. In plain terms, the bean, or the fermented sauce made from it.
How do you pronounce “soy”?
“Soy” is pronounced soy (/sɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “soy” in a sentence?
Here is “soy” used in a sentence: “Add a splash of soy sauce to the stir-fry.”
What part of speech is “soy”?
“Soy” is a noun.
Where does the word “soy” come from?
The word “soy” comes from Dutch. Borrowed via Dutch soja from Japanese shōyu, ultimately from Chinese characters meaning "bean paste" + "oil.".
Is “soy” a common word?
“Soy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “soy” have?
“Soy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a salty sauce made by fermenting soybeans, used widely in East Asian cooking.
What is the difference between "soy" and "soy sauce"?
"Soy" can refer either to soybeans and products derived from them, or, as shorthand, to the fermented soybean condiment known as soy sauce. Context usually makes clear which sense is meant, as in "pass the soy" at a meal versus "soy protein" on a label.
Is "soy" the same as "soya"?
Yes, "soy" and "soya" refer to the same bean and its products; "soy" is more common in American English, while "soya" is more typical in British English.
What does "soy" refer to on a food label?
On food labels, "soy" usually indicates the presence of soybeans or derived proteins, such as in soy milk, soy flour, or textured soy protein.
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