congé

1 of 2

noun (1)

con·​gé kōⁿ-ˈzhā  ˈkän-ˌzhā 

variants or less commonly congee

ˈkän-(ˌ)jē 

-(ˌ)zhē

1

a

: a formal permission to depart

b

: dismissal

2

: a ceremonious bow

3

: farewell

4

: an architectural molding of concave profile see molding illustration

congee

2 of 2

noun (2)

con·​gee ˈkän-jē 

: porridge made from rice

Synonyms of congé

Noun (1)

• farewell
• bon voyage

Examples of congé in a Sentence

Noun (1)

with an elaborately ceremonious congé, the ambassador took his leave

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For dim sum, Hei La Moon is home to a bi-level, hall-style emporium while Winsor Dim Sum Café presents an expansive menu and outstanding congee. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Rhoda and Laurence are also both making versions of congee. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 June 2026

In the morning, expect a rotating selection of savory pastries; a hearty breakfast sando featuring one of the city’s fluffiest egg patties with pork, an umeboshi aioli and salmoriglio; and a morning congee. —Jessi Roti, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026

After emerging from the cave, the first thing Mee ate was congee, a savory Asian rice porridge. —Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 31 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of earlier congee, congie, from Middle English conge, from Anglo-French cungé, from Latin commeatus going back and forth, leave, from commeare to go back and forth, from com- + meare to go — more at permeate

Noun (2)

Tamil kañci water from cooked rice

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1930, in the meaning defined above