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

Her American red snapper gets a smokey bacon vinaigrette infusion, and every check arrives with a realization. —Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025

Lunch was almost always a big, leafy salad with lots of legumes and whole grains—and the dressings, like a cranberry vinaigrette or an avocado tahini, were always flavorful enough on their own. —Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 30 Jan. 2025

Try mixing a spoonful into vinaigrettes for a salad dressing that’s equal parts sweet and tangy. —Rai Mincey, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

The menu takes guests on a culinary journey through Appalachia and the South with dishes like smoked trout hush puppies and roasted halibut with grits and andouille vinaigrette. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025

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