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

While some lettuces wilt in the face of a punchy vinaigrette, arugula holds its own. —Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 May 2025

Michael Toscano of La Farfalle and Porchetta Shop presented a divine Surf and Turf Tartare with beef crudo, octopus, Charleston shrimp, beech mushrooms, ramps and shrimp head vinaigrette. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025

Fresh if in season, or frozen lady peas, plus a few herbs and simple mustardy vinaigrette make this salad a cinch. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025

Or use lentils in an entirely different pasta recipe altogether, like with bow tie noodles, roasted veggies, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette dressing. 9. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 11 Apr. 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