shallot

noun

shal·​lot shə-ˈlät  ˈsha-lət 

plural shallots

1

: a perennial onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) that produces small clustered bulbs which resemble those of garlic and are used in cooking

also : its bulb

2

: green onion

Examples of shallot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To make dressing, whisk together the orange juice, shallots, salt, pepper and oil. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026

This recipe shows the humble white button mushroom’s versatility in a savory sauce thickened with heavy cream and flavored with garlic and shallots and tossed with chicken meatballs. —Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026

It is paired with a wild garlic mustard sauce, blackcurrant purée, shallot purée, and a pigeon pâté—finished with whisky, which is also incorporated into the pâté. —Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

The peas themselves are piled like cabochons over a thin pastry shell, dressed in a tart citrus vinaigrette and studded with slivers of pickled shallots that deliver bracing little sparks of brine against the crisp sweetness of the legumes. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 10 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

modification of French échalote, from Middle French eschalotte, alteration of eschaloigne, from Vulgar Latin *escalonia — more at scallion

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shallot

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• mallet
• palate
• palette
• pallet