schnitzel

noun

schnit·​zel ˈshnit-səl How to pronounce schnitzel (audio)
: a seasoned and garnished veal cutlet

Examples of schnitzel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In San Jose, this historic restaurant-beer hall amps up its year-round German fare — think schnitzel and sauerbraten — with Oktoberfest music on several nights from now through the end of October. John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025 German food is always on the menu here, and the menu includes warm German potato salad, schnitzel and sauerbraten. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025 For several decades, Karl Ratzsch's Restaurant served as a downtown Milwaukee landmark for both locals and visitors hungry for wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, and other German foods. Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Authentic German food from bratwurst to schnitzel. Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for schnitzel

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Schnitzel, literally, "shaving, chip" (originally regional German—Austria—in the sense "veal cutlet"), diminutive of Schnitz "shaving," going back to Middle High German sniz, snitz, derivative of snitzen "to carve," going back to Germanic *snittōn-, iterative derivative of *snīþan- "to cut" — more at schneid

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of schnitzel was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Schnitzel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schnitzel. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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