Definition

A type of sauce made from tomatoes, often used as a condiment for food.

Example

I like to put catchup on my fries.

Conversation

Do you want to grab some fries and a bottle of catchup?

Sure! That sounds delicious right now.

I always think fries taste better with catchup.

Absolutely! It’s the perfect dip for them.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Catchup is derived from the word 'ketchup', which comes from the Chinese word 'kê-tsiap' (meaning a pickled fish sauce). The term evolved through Malay 'kecap' (meaning soy sauce) and was adopted into English in the 17th century. The word 'catchup' itself is a variant spelling of 'ketchup', referring to a condiment typically made from tomatoes, vinegar, and spices.

Memory Tip

Think of the original meaning of 'ketchup' as a sauce that enhances flavor, which helps you remember that 'catchup' refers to a condiment used to catch up the taste of food.

Visually Confused Words