filet mignon

noun

fi·​let mi·​gnon ˌfi-(ˌ)lā-mēn-ˈyōⁿ 

fi-ˌlā-, 

-mēn-ˈyän 

plural filets mignons ˌfi-(ˌ)lā-mēn-ˈyōⁿz 

fi-ˌlā-, 

-mēn-ˈyänz

: a thick slice of beef cut from the narrow end of a beef tenderloin

Examples of filet mignon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Select from clam chowder, salad, or smoked salmon and avocado toast for the first course; and lobster frittata, an 8-ounce center cut filet mignon, or pan-seared salmon for the main course. —Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026

Really, the Black Label burger is more of a filet mignon chopped into big cubes and then swaddled in raclette, roasted mushroom relish and burger sauce. —Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 20 Mar. 2026

There’s also filet mignon carpaccio with Parmigiano gelato and mustard sauce. —Connie Ogle march 11, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

In a city of Keens, Luger, Gallaghers, and Sparks, a new steak house trading on the grit and glory of a world gone by needs to bring more to the table than an originless filet mignon or a watery slab of prime rib. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, dainty fillet

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for filet mignon

• chignon
• lignin

Kids Definition

filet mignon

noun

fi·​let mi·​gnon ˌfil-(ˌ)ā-mēn-ˈyän 

fi-ˌlā-

plural filets mignons -mēn-ˈyänz 

: a thick slice of beef cut from the narrow end of a tenderloin

Etymology

French, literally, "dainty fillet"