vinaigrette

noun

vin·​ai·​grette ˌvi-ni-ˈgret 

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

In Nashville, native Emily Frith even sells the sesame vinaigrette that everyone wants to drizzle over her strawberry salad. — Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026

Share it, then share a simple salad of greens, warm goat cheese and croutons with a red wine vinaigrette for a nice contrast. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

The soy sauce seasons the tofu to its core, while balsamic vinaigrette adds acidity, richness, and just enough sweetness. — Ali Francis, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 July 2026

Mezze include hummus with green harissa, crispy potatoes with pickle aioli and tomato jam and a fattoush salad with sumac vinaigrette. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from vinaigre vinegar

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for vinaigrette

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bassinet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet

Kids Definition

vinaigrette

noun

vin·​ai·​grette ˌvin-i-ˈgret 

: a sauce made of oil, vinegar, and seasonings and used especially on salads, cold meats, or fish