vinaigrette

noun

vin·​ai·​grette ˌvi-ni-ˈgret How to pronounce vinaigrette (audio)
1
: a sauce made typically of oil, vinegar, and seasonings and used especially on salads, cold meats, or fish

called also vinaigrette dressing

2
: a small ornamental box or bottle with perforated top used for holding an aromatic preparation (such as smelling salts)

Examples of vinaigrette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As fans of Zaxbys' Zalads know, the Asian Zensation Zalad is one of the restaurant's healthiest lunch options with its combination of chicken, greens, crispy wonton strips, and slaw topped with a citrus-spiked vinaigrette. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025 Put the fennel and apple into a medium bowl and toss with the vinaigrette. Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025 Or make this Green Bean Salad with a Parmesan vinaigrette and pickled shallots—a welcome bright bite to balance the richness of other dishes. The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2025 Each table also has insalata of shredded cabbage, carrots, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, and tomato with vinaigrette dressing. R29 Team, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vinaigrette

Word History

Etymology

French, from vinaigre vinegar

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of vinaigrette was in 1811

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Cite this Entry

“Vinaigrette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vinaigrette. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

vinaigrette

noun
vin·​ai·​grette ˌvin-i-ˈgret How to pronounce vinaigrette (audio)
: a sauce made of oil, vinegar, and seasonings and used especially on salads, cold meats, or fish

More from Merriam-Webster on vinaigrette

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