fillet

1 of 2

noun

fil·​let ˈfi-lət 

in sense 2b also

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfi-(ˌ)lā

variants or less commonly filet

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfi-(ˌ)lā

1

: a ribbon or narrow strip of material used especially as a headband

2

a

: a thin narrow strip of material

b

: a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish

especially : the tenderloin of beef

3

a

: a concave junction formed where two surfaces meet (as at an angle)

b

: a strip that gives a rounded appearance to such a junction

also : a strip to reinforce the corner where two surfaces meet

4

: a narrow flat architectural member:

a

: a flat molding separating others

b

: the space between two flutings (see flute entry 1 sense 3) in a shaft

fillet

2 of 2

verb

fil·​let ˈfi-lət 

in sense 2 also

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfi-(ˌ)lā

filleted; filleting; fillets

transitive verb

1

: to bind, furnish, or adorn with or as if with a fillet

2

: to cut into fillets

Examples of fillet in a Sentence

Noun

a juicy fillet of beef

Verb

He carefully filleted the fish with a sharp knife.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Salmon Potassium: 970 mg Serving size: Half fillet Salmon is rich in nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 20 May 2025

The main course consisted of fillet of John Dory with black olive barigoule of artichokes. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 May 2025

Verb

One of our group caught a trout big enough to bring back to the lodge, where it was served finely filleted on blinis with sundowner cocktails. —Kendall Hill, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2025

Brush skinless halibut fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English filet, from Anglo-French, diminutive of fil thread, from Latin filum — more at file

Verb

derivative of fillet entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fillet

• fillet weld

Rhymes for fillet

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

fillet

1 of 2 noun

fil·​let ˈfil-ət 

also

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfil-(ˌ)ā

variants also filet

fi-ˈlā 

ˈfil-(ˌ)ā

: a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish

fillet

2 of 2 verb

: to cut into fillets

Medical Definition

fillet

noun

fil·​let ˈfil-ət 

: a band of anatomical fibers

specifically : lemniscus