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

Examples of fondue in a Sentence

dip fruit in melted chocolate to have a chocolate fondue

Recent Examples on the Web

Or just cut to the chase and indulge in the chocolate fondue fountain at Kiosque des Bastions’ Sunday brunch buffet. —Anna Haines, AFAR Media, 23 July 2025

For me, the Alps were long synonymous with winter: hut-to-hut ski tours in the Italian Dolomites, shots of schnapps at après in Austria, and cozy cabins and hearty meals of fondue and raclette in Switzerland. —Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 12 June 2025

Served in a rarebit dish with a thin layer of cheese on top, the fondue comes with a baguette for shareable dipping. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 5 Aug. 2025

The result is a cultural milieu as rich as the fondue. —Anna Haines, AFAR Media, 23 July 2025

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

Rhymes for fondue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

fondue

noun

fon·​due fän-ˈd(y)ü 

: a preparation of melted cheese and flavorings