bouillabaisse

noun

bouil·​la·​baisse ˌbü-yə-ˈbās 

-ˈbāz;

ˈbü-yə-ˌbās, 

-ˌbāz

1

: a highly seasoned fish stew made with at least two kinds of fish

2

: potpourri sense 2

Examples of bouillabaisse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The morning menu of crepes, salmon on buckwheat blinis, super smoothies, and acai bowls flips to French-Austrian bistro classics later on, including crispy artichoke, coq au vin with spaetzle, and a showpiece bouillabaisse—plus desserts such as a baked apple and a baba with orange sorbet. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Menu highlights at Fat of the Land include octopus carpaccio, halibut bouillabaisse, rack of pork, Basque cheesecake, cocktails and a Spanish-forward wine menu. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026

Other strong options include the lobster roll, bouillabaisse, and shrimp-and-lobster fritters. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026

And that is exactly how I was taught to make and to serve bouillabaisse by a fourth-generation Marseillaise. —Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bouillabaisse

• aromatase
• hydrogenase
• nitrogenase
• oligoclase
• oxygenase
• plagioclase
• polymerase
• streptokinase
• triphosphatase
• abase
• airspace
• apace

Video

How to Read a French Menu

How to 'amuse-bouche' without begging pardon for your French

Kids Definition

bouillabaisse

noun

bouil·​la·​baisse ˌbü-yə-ˈbās 

ˈbü-yə-ˌbās

: a spicy stew made from a variety of fish and shellfish