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

To make salads healthier, vinaigrettes are often substituted for creamy dressing; nuts, seeds, and roasted chickpeas are substituted for croutons; grilled chicken replaces ground beef and bacon; and greens like iceberg are replaced with more nutrient-dense ones like kale and spinach. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

The fiddling pays off when the fresh herb vinaigrette dresses a mix of Iceberg lettuce and one of the mixed greens combos sold in the marketplace. —Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 13 Jan. 2025

That Pairs Well Even with so few ingredients, this vinaigrette has big flavor payoff. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025

The standout dish of the meal was a simple preparation of leeks that was topped with oozy stracciatella cheese, an herbaceous sweet-and-sour vinaigrette shot through with tarragon, and the toasty crunch of hazelnuts. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from vinaigre vinegar

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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