fondue

noun

fon·​due fän-ˈdü How to pronounce fondue (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Via Vite The Mother's Day brunch buffet at Via Vite includes a mix of breakfast offerings and classic Italian dishes, such as scrambled eggs, French toast with berry compote, crispy gnocchi with four cheese fondue and black truffle, and Italian sausage and bean ragout. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Emily shouted out Switzerland as her favorite food destination – largely due to the cheese and chocolate fondue. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025 In practice, this means a space inspired by designer Gio Ponti’s effervescence and a menu, from Marc Vetri protégé Adam Leonti, that runs from cacio e pepe potatoes and Calabrian tuna tartare to agnolotti with black truffle fondue. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025 The fondue set was based on a reference from an interior design magazine from the 1960s, presented on a circular dining table. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fondue

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fondue was in 1824

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fondue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fondue. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fondue

noun
fon·​due fän-ˈd(y)ü How to pronounce fondue (audio)
: a preparation of melted cheese and flavorings

More from Merriam-Webster on fondue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!