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

Either by way of melty cheese or gooey chocolate, fondue gave every cocktail party guest something fun to do back in the day. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 June 2026

There’s a late-night $28-per-person chocolate fondue option offered during the last hour of service every night. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 2 June 2026

For dinner, order the signature seafood experience or the fan-favorite gnocchi with pumpkin saffron purée, crispy sage, and cheese fondue. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

The restaurant’s menu will include rainbow burgers, chocolate BBQ sliders, milkshakes and a shareable Chocolate River fondue experience. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026

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