fillet

1 of 2

noun

fil·​let ˈfi-lət 

in sense 2b also

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfi-(ˌ)lā

variants or less commonly filet

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfi-(ˌ)lā

1

: a ribbon or narrow strip of material used especially as a headband

2

a

: a thin narrow strip of material

b

: a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish

especially : the tenderloin of beef

3

a

: a concave junction formed where two surfaces meet (as at an angle)

b

: a strip that gives a rounded appearance to such a junction

also : a strip to reinforce the corner where two surfaces meet

4

: a narrow flat architectural member:

a

: a flat molding separating others

b

: the space between two flutings (see flute entry 1 sense 3) in a shaft

fillet

2 of 2

verb

fil·​let ˈfi-lət 

in sense 2 also

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfi-(ˌ)lā

filleted; filleting; fillets

transitive verb

1

: to bind, furnish, or adorn with or as if with a fillet

2

: to cut into fillets

Examples of fillet in a Sentence

Noun

a juicy fillet of beef

Verb

He carefully filleted the fish with a sharp knife.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Top with the fillets and garnish with a shower of fresh basil leaves. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025

Sprinkle remaining 1 teaspoon salt evenly over cod fillets. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 May 2025

Verb

Brush skinless halibut fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025

So the 27-year-old took hold of the ball and filleted her way through Chelsea’s midfield, skipping over the lunging tackle of Niamh Charles (haggard through this contest) without so much as a nod of recognition. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English filet, from Anglo-French, diminutive of fil thread, from Latin filum — more at file

Verb

derivative of fillet entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fillet

• fillet weld

Rhymes for fillet

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

fillet

1 of 2 noun

fil·​let ˈfil-ət 

also

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfil-(ˌ)ā

variants also filet

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfil-(ˌ)ā

: a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish

fillet

2 of 2 verb

: to cut into fillets

Medical Definition

fillet

noun

fil·​let ˈfil-ət 

: a band of anatomical fibers

specifically : lemniscus