WordGarden.iomarshmallow
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɑːʃməlˌəʊ/
US
- /ˈmɑrʃˌmɛloʊ/
Meanings
Noun
a soft sweet confection often eaten as a candy or used in desserts
a flowering mallow plant traditionally used in herbal and historical contexts
Beyond the definition
A marshmallow is a soft, fluffy sweet that people often toast over a campfire. Today it is usually made from sugar, water, and gelatin, then whipped until it becomes light and airy. Long ago, sweets with this name were linked to the marsh mallow plant, whose root was used in earlier recipes and remedies.
You can find marshmallows in hot chocolate, in s'mores, or eaten straight from the bag. People also sometimes use the word in a playful way for someone or something that seems very soft, sweet, or gentle.
The word "marshmallow" has an interesting history. It is connected to the marsh mallow plant (Althaea officinalis), a plant that grows in wet areas. Long ago, parts of this plant were used in remedies and in early sweet mixtures. Those older versions were very different from the light candy most people know now.
Over time, the recipe changed a lot. Candy makers began using sugar and other ingredients to create a softer, fluffier texture. Modern marshmallows are usually made without the plant itself, but the old name stayed. Mass production later made them cheap, common, and easy to find in stores.
Today, marshmallows are a popular treat in many places. People toast them over fires, melt them into s'mores with chocolate and graham crackers, drop them into hot cocoa, or use them in desserts and snack bars. They are known for being sweet, soft, and slightly springy.
The word is also sometimes used in a figurative way. A person might call someone a marshmallow if that person seems very gentle, kind, or soft-hearted, even if they do not look that way at first. It can also describe something soft and comforting. So the word can refer both to a fluffy candy and, in a more playful way, to a soft or sweet nature.
Examples
- 1
Hot drink
She dropped a marshmallow into her hot chocolate.
- 2
Campfire snack
We roasted marshmallows over the campfire until they turned golden.
- 3
Baking
The brownies are full of mini marshmallows and chopped nuts.
- 4
Sweet dish
The sweet potatoes were baked with marshmallows on top.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Soft-hearted person
He acts strict at work, but at home he's a total marshmallow.
- 6
Psychology test
The article mentioned the famous marshmallow test.
- Phrasethe marshmallow test
a test about waiting now to get a better reward later
See also
Contrast
- hard candy
Used with (collocations)
- toasted marshmallow
- mini marshmallows
- marshmallow fluff
- marshmallow topping
Word family
- marshmallowy
Explore
- soft candy
- confection
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- marshmallownoun
Forms
- marshmallowspluralnoun