What does "sherbet" mean?
A dessert of frozen fruit juice with a dairy product such as milk added; a sorbet with dairy ingredients.
Sherbet
/ˈʃɜː.bət/ noun, slang
noun, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A dessert of frozen fruit juice with a dairy product such as milk added; a sorbet with dairy ingredients.
- Grammar: sherbet is listed as noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: acid candy, dairy dessert, fizzy powder, frozen dessert.
- Useful contrasts: hot dessert, nonfizzy candy, still candy.
- Usage evidence: Excuse me, I'd like two regular size cones - one with chocolate mint, and the other with orange sherbet, please.
How to use "sherbet"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sherbet" 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 "sherbet" 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 "sherbet" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sherbet" 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 "sherbet" is acting as noun, slang 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 "acid candy" 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 "sherbet", 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 A dessert of frozen fruit juice with a dairy product such as milk added; a sorbet with dairy ingredients. countable, uncountable
- 2 a frozen dessert made primarily of fruit juice and sugar, but also containing milk or egg-white or gelatin wordnet
- 3 An effervescent powder made of bicarbonate of soda, sugar and flavourings, intended to be eaten alone or mixed with water to make a drink. countable, uncountable
- 4 A traditional West and South Asian sweet drink prepared from fruits or flower petals. countable, uncountable
"Directly they were trotted off in their little pea-green and gilt carriage, guardian negress and all, I went into the shop, about which I had all this time been loafingly prowling, and called, clapping my hands, for some violet sherbet, […]"
- 5 An alcoholic drink, especially beer. Australia, UK, countable, slang, uncountable
"All the dealers would steam into his cabin for a few sherbets after work, and to listen to his bollocks."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
hot dessertnonfizzy candystill candyunfrozen dessert
Example
"Excuse me, I'd like two regular size cones - one with chocolate mint, and the other with orange sherbet, please."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "sherbet"?
Common synonyms include: acid candy, dairy dessert, fizzy powder, frozen dessert, ice, ice cream substitute.
How do you use "sherbet" in a sentence?
Excuse me, I'd like two regular size cones - one with chocolate mint, and the other with orange sherbet, please.
How do you pronounce "sherbet"?
Pronounced /ˈʃɜː.bət/.
Etymology
Etymology tree Arabic شَرِبَ (šariba)der. Arabic شَرْبَة (šarba)bor. Classical Persian شَرْبَت (šarbat)bor. Ottoman Turkish شربت (şerbet)bor. English sherbet Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish شربت (şerbet), borrowed from Classical Persian شَرْبَت (šarbat), borrowed from Arabic شَرْبَة (šarba), from شَرِبَ (šariba). Doublet of sorbet and sharbat, related to syrup.