ketchup

/ˈkɛtʃəp/

/ˈkɛtʃəp/

Other forms: ketchups

Ketchup is a red, tomato-based condiment. Many people love to slather ketchup on their hamburgers and hotdogs, while others prefer mustard.

You can also call ketchup catsup, but either way it's a sweet sauce made of tomatoes and spices. Commercial ketchup tends to have plenty of sugar or other sweeteners, too. Originally ketchup came in different flavors, made from ingredients like walnuts, oysters, or mushrooms, but today the tomato style has become standard. There are several theories about the origin of ketchup, one of which cites the Xiamen Chinese koechiap, "brine of fish."

Definitions of ketchup

1. noun

   thick spicy sauce made from tomatoes
   synonyms: catsup, cetchup, tomato ketchup

   type of:

   condiment

   a preparation (a sauce or relish or spice) to enhance flavor or enjoyment