noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/mɑːʃˈmæləʊ/
US:/ˈmɑɹʃˌmɛl.oʊ/
US:/ˈmɑɹʃˌmæl.oʊ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -æləʊ
CMU ARPABET:M AA1 R SH M EH2 L OW0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
Marsh mallow, a species of mallow, Althaea officinalis, that grows in marshy terrain.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A type of confectionery, originally (since Ancient Egyptian times) made from this plant, but now generally made of sugar or corn syrup, gelatin that has been presoftened in water, gum arabic, flavorings, and sometimes beaten egg whites, all whipped to a spongy consistency.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Someone who is soft and benign.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, figuratively, uncountable
Examples
He acts like a total badass, but he's really just a marshmallow once you get to know him.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To soften (literally or figuratively).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
spongy confection made of gelatin and sugar and corn syrup and dusted with powdered sugar
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: candy, confect
History
Etymology
From Old English mersċmealwe, corresponding to marsh + mallow.
Across languages
Translations
62 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Afrikaans:
malvalekker
— confectionery
Afrikaans:
marshmallow
— confectionery
Arabic:
خِطْمِيّ
(ḵiṭmiyy)
— confectionery
Armenian:
մարշմելոու
(maršmelou)
— confectionery
Catalan:
pasta de malví
— confectionery
Chinese Cantonese:
棉花糖
— confectionery
Chinese Mandarin:
軟糖 /软糖
(ruǎntáng)
— confectionery
Chinese Mandarin:
果醬軟糖 /果酱软糖
(guǒjiàng ruǎntáng)
— confectionery
Chinese Mandarin:
棉花糖
(miánhuā táng)
— confectionery
