au lait

American  

[oh ley, oh le] / oʊ ˈleɪ, oʊ ˈlɛ /

adjective

French Cooking.

1. prepared or served with milk.

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au lait British  

/ əʊ ˈleɪ, o lɛ /

adjective

1. prepared or served with milk

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Etymology

Origin of au lait

< French: literally, with the milk. See lact-

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

au lait

Along with easy access to croissants and café au lait, our heroes have the benefit of not having to wax patriotic about a country in which they no longer live.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2025

Ten fingers, 10 toes, steady breathing, good tone, strong cry, no defects, two small café au lait spots on her thigh—just beauty marks.

From Slate ● Nov. 26, 2023

No matter if you call it moghli, riz au lait, sholezard, firni, put chai ko or arroz con leche, rice pudding is a veritable comfort for all.

From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2023

This month, Quinta Brunson, the star and creator of the hit sitcom “Abbott Elementary,” hosted the Billboard Women in Music awards ceremony wearing a structured Gaurav Gupta design the color of café au lait.

From New York Times ● Mar. 16, 2023

And what I saw were eyes that were sixty-percent-cacao chocolate, a face that was cafe au lait, and an expression that was so familiar it made my whole body ring like a bell.

From "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead