cutlet

noun

cut·​let ˈkət-lət 

1

: a small slice of meat

a veal cutlet

2

: a flat croquette of chopped meat or fish

Synonyms

• cake
• croquette
• fritter
• galette
• patty
• pattie

Examples of cutlet in a Sentence

a breaded veal cutlet

Recent Examples on the Web

Working with 1 breast at a time, use a sharp knife to cut breast horizontally in half (parallel to cutting board) to create 4 chicken cutlets. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 14 June 2025

Items on the menu include include crispy swordfish cutlets with spiced kumquats and hojicha tapioca pudding for dessert. —Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025

For a more kid-friendly variation, use chicken tenderloins instead of chicken cutlets. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 May 2025

The weapon, which Ukrainian authorities say was manufactured by North Korea, had slammed into the balcony where, just days before, the family was grilling marinated pork cutlets to celebrate the 44th birthday of Mr. Polishchuk’s wife, Anna Polishchuk. —Oleksandra Mykolyshyn, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French côtelette, from Old French costelette, diminutive of coste rib, side, from Latin costa — more at coast

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cutlet

• chatelet

Kids Definition

cutlet

noun

cut·​let ˈkət-lət 

1

: a small slice of meat

veal cutlets

2

: a piece of food shaped like a cutlet