What does "congee" mean?
Leave, formal permission for some action, (originally and particularly)
Congee
/ˈkɑnd͡ʒi/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Leave, formal permission for some action, (originally and particularly)
- Grammar: congee is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: jook, bland porridge, conge, conge.
- Useful contrasts: dry cereal, hearty dish, rich meal.
- Usage evidence: In Hong Kong there are two types of liquid food which are considered absolutely vital: Cantonese soup and congee. It is curious to note that however "thick and ingredient-filled" the soup is, it's always drunk and however "thin" the congee is, it's always eaten.
How to use "congee"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "congee" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "congee" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "congee" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "congee" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "congee" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "jook" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "congee", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Leave, formal permission for some action, (originally and particularly) countable, uncountable
- 2 A type of thick rice porridge or soup, sometimes prepared with vegetables and/or meat. uncountable, usually
"In a past life in Fuzhou, it represented some reality other than the one of daily congee and pickled turnips, cabbage and boiled rip soup."
- 3 an abrupt and unceremonious dismissal wordnet
- 4 Leave, formal permission for some action, (originally and particularly):; Formal permission to leave; a passport. countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 5 formal permission to depart wordnet
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 Formal dismissal; (figurative) any dismissal; (originally & particularly humorously ironic) abrupt dismissal without ceremony. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"So courteous conge both did giue and take, With right hands plighted, pledges of good will."
- 7 (architecture) a concave molding wordnet
- 8 Formal leavetaking; (figurative) any farewell. countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 9 a Chinese rice gruel eaten for breakfast wordnet
- 10 A fee paid to make another go away, (particularly) alms to a persistent beggar. Scotland, countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 11 A bow, curtsey, or other gesture (originally) made at departure but (later) including at greeting or in obeissance or respect. archaic, countable, uncountable
"As salutations, reverences, or conges, by which some doe often purchase the honour, (but wrongfully) to be humble, lowly, and courteous[…]."
Verb
- 1 To give congee, (particularly); To give formal permission to leave; to dismiss. archaic, obsolete, transitive
- 2 perform a ceremonious bow wordnet
- 3 To give congee, (particularly); To give formal permission to do something; to license. archaic, obsolete, transitive
- 4 depart after obtaining formal permission wordnet
- 5 To take congee: to leave ceremoniously. archaic
Show 1 more definition
- 6 To make a congee: to bow, curtsey, etc., (particularly dialectal) while leaving; (figuratively) to make obeissance, show respect, or defer to someone or something. archaic
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
dry cerealhearty dishrich mealsolid food
Example
"In Hong Kong there are two types of liquid food which are considered absolutely vital: Cantonese soup and congee. It is curious to note that however "thick and ingredient-filled" the soup is, it's always drunk and however "thin" the congee is, it's always eaten."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "congee"?
Common synonyms include: jook, bland porridge, conge, conge, diet porridge, rice gruel.
How do you use "congee" in a sentence?
In Hong Kong there are two types of liquid food which are considered absolutely vital: Cantonese soup and congee. It is curious to note that however "thick and ingredient-filled" the soup is, it's always drunk and however "thin" the congee is, it's always eaten.
How do you pronounce "congee"?
Pronounced /ˈkɑnd͡ʒi/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From late Middle English congie, from Old French congié, congiet (modern French congé), from Latin commeātus (“passage, permission to leave”), from commeō (“I go and come”), from con- + meō (“I go, I pass”). Figurative senses generally borrowed from developments in French congé.
Etymology 2
From Tamil கஞ்சி (kañci) or another Dravidian language such as Malayalam കഞ്ഞി (kaññi) (ultimately from Proto-Dravidian *kañci), possibly via Portuguese canje.