queso

noun

que·​so ˈkā-(ˌ)sō 

: a dipping sauce of melted cheese and chopped chili peppers : chili con queso

The author was never told in her Texas elementary school that if she ordered queso … or chalupas once she left home, she'd get only a plateful of disappointment.

—Pete Wells

The Mexican-inspired chain is offering free chips with guacamole or queso to customers who purchase their first order on its new smartphone app.

—Aric Jenkins

Examples of queso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the menu at Hamlin’s El Toro in Muskogee, Oklahoma, looks similar to that of many other Tex-Mex restaurants across the country, the cold, creamy white dipping sauce that comes to the table with tortilla chips isn’t your classic queso. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026

Your new teammates will introduce you to enchiladas and Bob Armstrong queso at Matt’s El Rancho — that’s Arch Manning’s favorite spot — plus live music and plenty of Madden tournaments in the Moncrief-Neuhaus players' lounge. —American-Statesman Editorial Board, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026

Ortiz’s ambitious menu included the hominy and pork stew known as pozole, two appetizers — chalupas and chicharrón de queso — salsa, guacamole and corn cake for dessert. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026

First course, cheese fondues (choice of one), bourbon bacon cheddar, queso salsa fresca or green Goddess cheddar. —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, "cheese," going back to Latin cāseus — more at cheese entry 1

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing queso

• chile con queso
• chili con queso
• queso fresco

Rhymes for queso

• gesso
• espresso