mignonette

noun

mi·​gnon·​ette ˌmin-yə-ˈnet 

1

: any of a genus (Reseda of the family Resedaceae, the mignonette family) of herbs

especially : a garden annual (R. odorata) bearing racemes of fragrant whitish flowers

2

: a sauce made typically with vinegar, pepper, and herbs and served especially with oysters

Illustration of mignonette

• mignonette 1

Examples of mignonette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sea, ever-churning just outside the beach house, but no longer busy being stared at by Conrad for hours on end, spewed forth an offering of fresh oysters with watermelon mignonette. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025

The Lolita or mignonette style isn’t just influencing clothing, but also beauty and accessories. —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Raw Murder Point oysters are served with a straightforward mignonette, smoked beets glisten with orange trout roe, a color combo inspiring enough to inform a fashionista. —Beth D'addono, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025

Oysters on the half shell served with mignonette and chipotle cocktail sauce. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French mignonnette, from obsolete French, feminine of mignonnet dainty, from Middle French, from mignon darling

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1