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

The other stuck with the crisp, supper-club-esque salad with a kicky vinaigrette. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026

Crusty bread like ciabatta or baguette would make a welcome accompaniment, as would some fresh greens for a salad tossed with Martha's no-fail vinaigrette. —Martha Stewart, 29 Jan. 2026

Drizzle with pomegranate vinaigrette. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026

For the starting course, choose a winter citrus salad with blood oranges or a warm winter slaw with a botanical, honey-dijon vinaigrette. —Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2026

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