confit

noun

con·​fit kōn-ˈfē How to pronounce confit (audio)
kȯn-,
kän-
1
: meat (such as goose, duck, or pork) that has been cooked and preserved in its own fat
2
: a garnish made usually from fruit or vegetables that are cooked until tender in a seasoned liquid

Examples of confit 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.
Shareable starters hover around $14, while many entrées, including dishes as impressive as duck confit, cost around $25. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025 In addition to Starr's recommendation of steak au poivre, other entrees are spaghetti bolognese, duck confit, chicken paillard and a variety of steak frites. Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 Their catch of the day is ideal for a group to share, as is their confit lamb shoulder. Rana Good, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 Prices start as low as €2.50 for eggs mayonnaise and €13 for duck confit with fries, with a pitcher of wine equivalent to the size of a bottle for around €12. Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for confit

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, noun derivative from past participle of confire "to treat (food, an animal or vegetable substance) in order to preserve it," going back to Old French "to prepare (a drink), preserve (fruit) in a liquid or sugar," going back to Latin conficere "to carry out, perform, make, bring about, collect, bring to completion" — more at confect

Note: In sense 1 the French word is most likely a gallicized form of the cognate word in the Occitan of Gascony or Languedoc. See note at comfit.

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of confit was in 1951

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confit. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!