WordGarden.iomayonnaise
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˌeɪənˈeɪz/
US
- /ˈmeɪəˌneɪz/
Meanings
Noun
a thick creamy condiment or ingredient made as an emulsified sauce
Beyond the definition
Mayonnaise is a thick, smooth, creamy sauce usually made by mixing oil with egg yolk and a little vinegar or lemon juice. You often see it spread on sandwiches, stirred into potato salad, or used as a base for dips and other sauces. It has a mild, rich taste and helps hold ingredients together in dishes like coleslaw, tuna salad, and egg salad.
Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy sauce that shows up in everyday food all over the world. It is usually made by blending oil with egg yolk and an acid such as vinegar or lemon juice until the mixture turns smooth and stable. That process creates what cooks call an emulsion, which is why the sauce stays rich and creamy instead of separating right away.
In daily use, mayonnaise is most often a condiment or a base. People spread it on sandwiches and burgers, mix it into tuna salad, chicken salad, potato salad, and coleslaw, or stir it into dips and dressings. It also appears in sauces such as tartar sauce and many flavored sandwich spreads. In some places, different styles are popular, including richer Japanese versions and garlic-flavored versions used with many savory dishes.
The flavor is usually mild, creamy, and slightly tangy, but it can change depending on the recipe. Some versions are sweeter, some sharper, and some include mustard, herbs, garlic, or spices. It can even be used in cooking and baking because it adds fat and moisture. In simple terms, mayonnaise is the kind of ingredient that can sit quietly in a jar, then suddenly become the thing that makes a sandwich, salad, or sauce taste complete.
Examples
- 1
Sandwich prep
She spread mayonnaise on the bread before adding the turkey.
- 2
Condiments
Do you want mayonnaise with your fries, or just ketchup?
- 3
Potato salad
This potato salad is made with mayonnaise, mustard, and chopped celery.
- 4
Restaurant request
Could you hold the mayonnaise on my burger?
- Phrasehold the mayonnaise
do not add mayonnaise
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Too much condiment
The sandwich tasted too rich because there was too much mayonnaise in it.
See also
Similar
- mayo
Shades of meaning
- aioli
- salad cream
Contrast
Do not confuse
- Miracle Whip
Used with (collocations)
- mayonnaise-based
- spread mayonnaise
- potato salad with mayonnaise
- egg mayonnaise
Word family
- mayonnaisy
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- mayonnaisenoun
Forms
- mayonnaisespluralnoun