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

That dependable radicchio holds up well to vinaigrette and is the perfect foil for all the other crunchy, savory, creamy things to keep it interesting, ’cause listen, nobody wants a boring salad. —Kristen Tauer, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025

Opt for lighter alternatives, like vinaigrettes or dressings made with low-fat dairy. —Johna Burdeos, Health, 20 Jan. 2025

Hanson makes a vinaigrette from the cooking liquid, adding fresh lemon juice, olive oil, mint, shallots, herbs—a complicated preparation. —Tamar Adler, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025

Consider the Ocean Prime House Salad, with a blend of romaine and field greens, along with Granny Smith apples, goat cheese, walnuts and a sherry mustard vinaigrette. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 20 Jan. 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