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

Includes cheese fondue, salad, entrée, and chocolate fondue. —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025

Many birthdays ago, a friend gifted me a retro fondue pot. —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025

Culinary delights like fondue and foie gras cement the mountain region atmosphere. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025

On the final day, travelers can enjoy a leisurely free day in Interlaken to explore the town, cozy up in cafes with fondue and other seasonal delights, or try out more of the over 45 aerial gondolas and mountain railways around the region. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 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