Soy

Pronunciation

• IPA: /sɔɪ/
• Rhymes: -ɔɪ

Alternative forms

• soya

Origin

Probably via Dutch soja, from a Japanese variant of 醤油, from Middle Chinese 醬油, from 醬 ("bean paste") + 油 ("oil").

Full definition of soy

Noun

1. A Chinese and Japanese liquid sauce for fish, made by subjecting boiled beans to long fermentation and then long digestion in salt and water. US preference is the term soy sauce.I like a little soy with my rice.
• 1902 — Annie R. Gregory, Woman's Favorite Cookbook, p381Pour in four tablespoonfuls of sherry and four tablespoonfuls of soy, as much vinegar as the jar will hold, and cover closely until wanted.
2. Soybeans. Often used attributively.These candles are made from soy.The soy crop is looking good this year.

Derived terms

• soy bean
• soy milk
• soy sauce