apple sauce: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Predominantly informal; specific to everyday culinary and colloquial contexts. The metaphorical use is informal/idiomatic.
Quick answer
What does “apple sauce” mean?
A sweet, smooth, cooked purée made from apples, typically served as a side dish or condiment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sweet, smooth, cooked purée made from apples, typically served as a side dish or condiment.
Used metaphorically to express disbelief, dismissal, or nonsense. Also, in informal AmE, money.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it's a specific food item. In American English, it has the additional informal meanings of 'nonsense' and (archaic/slang) 'money'. The spelling 'applesauce' as one word is more common in American English.
Connotations
UK: Primarily culinary, childhood, comfort food. US: Culinary, plus strong connotations of dismissal ("That's just applesauce!").
Frequency
The literal food term is common in both varieties. The metaphorical 'nonsense' meaning is distinctly American and moderately common in informal speech.
Grammar
How to Use “apple sauce” in a Sentence
N/A as mass nounIt [verb: is, tastes like] apple sauceHe was talking apple sauce (idiom).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apple sauce” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- He gave an apple-sauce answer that satisfied nobody. (rare, metaphorical)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually nil, except in the food industry.
Academic
Virtually nil.
Everyday
High in culinary contexts; moderate in AmE for expressing dismissal.
Technical
Only in culinary/recipe contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apple sauce”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “apple sauce”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apple sauce”
- Treating it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an apple sauce'). It's uncountable. *'I'd like two apple sauces, please' is incorrect.
- Using the AmE idiom in a formal UK context, causing confusion.
- Misspelling as 'applesause'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are acceptable. 'Applesauce' (one word) is the dominant form in American English, especially for the idiomatic meaning. 'Apple sauce' (two words) is common in British English.
It would likely be misunderstood. In the UK, use phrases like 'rubbish', 'nonsense', or 'baloney' instead. The culinary meaning is primary.
Apple sauce is typically a smooth or slightly textured purée. Apple compote usually has distinct, soft chunks of apple in a syrup.
No, it's mild and informal, similar to 'baloney' or 'hogwash'. It's dismissive but not vulgar.
A sweet, smooth, cooked purée made from apples, typically served as a side dish or condiment.
Apple sauce is usually predominantly informal; specific to everyday culinary and colloquial contexts. the metaphorical use is informal/idiomatic. in register.
Apple sauce: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæp(ə)l ˌsɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæp(ə)l ˌsɔːs/ (also commonly /ˈæp(ə)l ˌsɑːs/). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's (a load of) apple sauce! (AmE, informal = nonsense)”
- “Don't give me that apple sauce!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a sauce made from apples. For the idiom, picture someone trying to serve you a bowl of 'apple sauce' when you asked for facts – it's sweet but insubstantial nonsense.
Conceptual Metaphor
SWEET FOOD FOR EMPTY WORDS (The metaphorical meaning equates pleasant but insubstantial food with pleasant but untrue talk).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English can 'apple sauce' idiomatically mean 'nonsense'?