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

Thick halibut fillets replace the whole fish in this recipe and stand up beautifully to the steaming process. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026

Bake at 425°F for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026

Verb

Mix Up a Marinade Gussy up plain proteins like chicken breasts, pork chops, and salmon fillets with a simple marinade. —Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026

Snapper fillets broil alongside potatoes and broccoli for a complete meal. —Linda Gassenheimer, Boston Herald, 10 Dec. 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