fondue

noun

fon·​due fän-ˈdü 

-ˈdyü,

ˈfän-ˌd(y)ü

variants or less commonly fondu

1

: a dish similar to a soufflé usually made with cheese and bread crumbs

2

a(1)

: a preparation of melted cheese (such as Swiss cheese and Gruyère) usually flavored with white wine and kirsch

(2)

: a dish that consists of small pieces of food (such as meat or fruit) cooked in or dipped into a hot liquid

beef fondue

chocolate fondue

b

: a chafing dish in which fondue is made

Example Sentences

dip fruit in melted chocolate to have a chocolate fondue

Recent Examples on the Web

Come here to enjoy a one of a kind fondue created by chef Heiko Nieder and maître fromager Rolf Beeler, alongside delectable sides such as pata negra best sipped with a bottle of Krug Grand Cuvée 170eme Edition. —Rana Good, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023

Perfect for Homebodies Spend quality time together with this two-person fondue set. —Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 27 Jan. 2023

The village has a small wine bar in a chalet filled with friendly locals, a waiting glass of crisp white wine, fondue and a warm baguette. —oregonlive, 27 Dec. 2022

The salon-like living room next to the club room is expected to serve small plates and fondue as well as cocktails later this winter. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2022

Linger over a bubbling vat of cheese fondue and perfectly prepared crepes at French Alpine Bistro. —Sarah Kuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2022

For those who don’t like it as heavy as a cheese fondue, there’s also the beloved Tea Time at La Galerie, created by pastry chef Angelo Musa, which is perfect for city-mom-gatherings while your children enjoy time on the ice rink. —Nel-olivia Waga, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022

Chase that with a pastry and you’ll be fueled for hard skiing until lunch (which should be a pot of hot, melty cheese at the Roundhouse, famous for its slopeside fondue). —Outside Online, 1 Oct. 2021

The first Culinary Dropout from Fox Restaurant Concepts opened in Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2010, and the concept became known for its concrete interior, uniform-less wait staff, live music and its soft pretzels with provolone fondue. —Dallas News, 29 Aug. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, noun derivative from feminine of fondu, past participle of fondre "to melt," going back to Old French — more at found entry 5

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fondue

noun

fon·​due fän-ˈd(y)ü 

: a preparation of melted cheese and flavorings