gratin

noun

gra·​tin ˈgra-tᵊn  ˈgrä- 

1

: a brown crust formed on food that has been cooked au gratin

also : a dish so cooked

2

: upper crust

the gratin of London society

Examples of gratin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Add to roasted veggies or gratins before cooking to infuse along the way. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2025

Since then, fine-dining restaurants like Santa Chicória, run by chefs Ilca Carmo and Paulo Anijar, have expanded the city’s culinary lexicon to include dishes like filhote and rice with jambú pesto and a crisp cassava gratin served with burrata from Marajó. —Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025

Family-style add-on sides, cauliflower/leek gratin and sweet potatoes ($15 each). —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 2025

This rich and creamy gratin is a comforting vegetarian meal, topped with a golden, cheese-laden crust that’s crisp and savory. —Linda Gassenheimer, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from grater to scratch

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gratin

• au gratin

Rhymes for gratin

• batten
• craton
• fatten
• flatten
• gratton
• latin
• lattin
• matin
• paten
• patten
• platen
• ratan