shallot

noun

shal·​lot shə-ˈlät  ˈsha-lət 

plural shallots

1

: a perennial onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) that produces small clustered bulbs which resemble those of garlic and are used in cooking

also : its bulb

2

: green onion

Examples of shallot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Add shallots, bay leaves, thyme, garlic and a pinch of salt. —Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025

Add shallots, garlic, chiles and fingerroot (or ginger) into the bowl of a food processor, along with 2 tablespoons of shrimp paste, 1 tablespoon of dried shrimp, and 1 teaspoon of white peppercorns. —Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025

Other recipes that recommend using yellow or sweet onions or even shallots, or a mixture of onions, call for a lighter, golden-brown caramelization or use white wine or cognac as the alcohol, as well as other seasonings. —Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025

Hanson makes a vinaigrette from the cooking liquid, adding fresh lemon juice, olive oil, mint, shallots, herbs—a complicated preparation. —Tamar Adler, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of French échalote, from Middle French eschalotte, alteration of eschaloigne, from Vulgar Latin *escalonia — more at scallion

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shallot

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• mallet
• palate
• palette
• pallet