fondue

noun

fon·​due fän-ˈdü 

-ˈdyü,

ˈfän-ˌd(y)ü

variants or less commonly fondu

1

: a dish similar to a soufflé usually made with cheese and bread crumbs

2

a(1)

: a preparation of melted cheese (such as Swiss cheese and Gruyère) usually flavored with white wine and kirsch

(2)

: a dish that consists of small pieces of food (such as meat or fruit) cooked in or dipped into a hot liquid

beef fondue

chocolate fondue

b

: a chafing dish in which fondue is made

Examples of fondue in a Sentence

dip fruit in melted chocolate to have a chocolate fondue

Recent Examples on the Web

Simply serve fondue in the saucepan placed on a trivet. —Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2025

Dip strawberries and pretzels in the chocolate fondue or chips and bread in the cheese. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025

However, the Goldener Hirsch Restaurant remains a destination in itself, serving up decadent cheese fondue and hearty alpine fare in a setting that feels straight out of the Austrian Alps. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 22 Mar. 2025

For a savory option, try fondue with pretzels, bread, and veggies. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, noun derivative from feminine of fondu, past participle of fondre "to melt," going back to Old French — more at found entry 5

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fondue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

fondue

noun

fon·​due fän-ˈd(y)ü 

: a preparation of melted cheese and flavorings