fillet

1 of 2

noun

fil·​let ˈfi-lət How to pronounce fillet (audio)
 in sense 2b also  fi-ˈlā,
ˈfi-(ˌ)lā How to pronounce fillet (audio)
variants or less commonly filet
fi-ˈlā How to pronounce fillet (audio)
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 How to pronounce fillet (audio)
 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
One fillet has 20 grams of protein and even fewer calories than catfish—114. Paul Kita, Men's Health, 29 Aug. 2023 The bears eat the most fatty, calorie-dense parts of the fish—like the brain, skin, and roe—and leave the leaner fillets behind. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Aug. 2023 Expose the line of bones on the fillet by running your finger gently along the flesh toward the tail. Julia O'Malley, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Aug. 2023 Place the salmon fillets in the dish skin side down. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 12 Aug. 2023 With the fish still burning drag, Austin grabs his fillet knife and cuts the line. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 3 Aug. 2023 Note: If preparing ahead of time, place seasoned fillet in fridge, uncovered, up to 1 hour until ready to cook. Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 15 June 2023 The best fillet knives need several important qualities. Cosmo Genova, Field & Stream, 3 May 2023 Or wrap them around fillets of fresh wild Alaska sablefish before searing in a hot skillet; some even adorn pizza and pea and zucchini risotto. Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2023
Verb
Cleaning puffers is different than a filleting other fish, and this video (above) does a great job of showing you the steps. Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 Aug. 2023 Add the olive oil and sear the salmon fillets skin side down until the skin is browned and crispy, 2 to 5 minutes. Eric Kim, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2023 Burbot are skinned and then filleted. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Apr. 2023 Fantastic John Krasinski, Captain Agent Carter America, '90s Professor X: Wanda fillets them all. Darren Franich, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023 The text is also instructional, explaining how to fillet a whole fish, ferment and pickle, and use layering to achieve unorthodox flavor combinations. Von Diaz, Washington Post, 3 June 2022 Fabric bought from Florence bind the cushions made by Sabbagh, and a roving cart becomes a talker when staff use it to carve a whole chicken or fillet a fish tableside. Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2022 Each challenge is based on one of her signature dishes: how to fillet a flat fish, or make clarified butter and soufflés. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2022 The Barracuda can allow as many as six fishermen at one time to fillet fish and grind the bones, heads and guts. cleveland, 6 Aug. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fillet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fillet was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fillet

Cite this Entry

“Fillet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fillet. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

fillet

1 of 2 noun
fil·​let ˈfil-ət How to pronounce fillet (audio)
also
fi-ˈlā How to pronounce fillet (audio)
ˈfil-(ˌ)ā
variants also filet
fi-ˈlā How to pronounce fillet (audio)
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 How to pronounce fillet (audio)
: a band of anatomical fibers
specifically : lemniscus

More from Merriam-Webster on fillet

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