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

Ortiz will teach students to prepare lamb fondue, smoke trout tartare, bison tenderloin with hatch green chile bearnaise, and Redstone Meadery tiramisu. —Sara Hansen, The Denver Post, 19 Dec. 2024

Guests can unwind with a refreshing apéritif and step into one of eight cozy gondolas to try delicious fondue from Jumi cheesery. —Taryn White, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

First course, cheese fondues (choice of one), crab imperial cheddar, queso salsa fresca or green Goddess cheddar. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 16 Dec. 2024

The menu highlights were the cheese fondue and wiener schnitzel. —Stacey Wreathall, Travel + Leisure, 4 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

fondue

noun

fon·​due fän-ˈd(y)ü 

: a preparation of melted cheese and flavorings