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

During Houston Restaurant Weeks, start with the incredible jicama salad with pepita vinaigrette and pickled mango and/or the Texas wagyu carpaccio with aged gouda and pickled strawberries. —Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Roasted monkfish tail with streaky bacon, red wine sauce and truffle vinaigrette. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2025

Try eating it like this: Slice plums and add them to green salads with nuts, feta cheese, and a light vinaigrette for a sweet, refreshing, and slightly tart salad. —Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 28 July 2025

Add more vinaigrette if desired, season with more salt and pepper, and toss once more. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from vinaigre vinegar

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for vinaigrette

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

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