fork-tender

adjective

fork-ten·​der ˈfȯrk-ˈten-dər 

: tender enough to be easily pierced or cut with a fork

fork-tender filet mignon

Examples of fork-tender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vegetables were fork-tender and the sauce was creamy. — Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 1 May 2026

Cover and bake until fork-tender, 3 to 4 hours. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2025

Chunks of meat slowly braise until fork-tender in a hearty broth brightened by tomato and spiked with stout ale. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

When it’s slowly braised, the lean, mild bison becomes fork-tender; hominy brings substance and a subtly sweet, nutty corn flavor. — The Know, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fork-tender

• bartender
• contender
• defender
• engender
• extender
• offender
• pretender
• provender
• surrender
• suspender
• transgender
• bender