bisque

¹ American  

[bisk] / bɪsk /

Sometimes bisk

noun

1. a thick cream soup, especially of puréed shellfish or vegetables.

2. ice cream made with powdered macaroons or nuts.

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bisque ² American  

[bisk] / bɪsk /

noun

Sports.

1. a point, extra turn, or the like, as in court tennis or croquet.

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bisque ³ American  

[bisk] / bɪsk /

noun

1. biscuit.

2. Also called biscuit ware.  vitreous china that is left unglazed.

3. a pinkish-tan color.

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adjective

1. having the color bisque.

bisque ¹ British  

/ bɪsk /

noun

1. 1. a pink to yellowish tan colour

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bisque tablecloth

2. ceramics another name for biscuit

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bisque ² British  

/ bɪsk /

noun

1. a thick rich soup made from shellfish

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bisque ³ British  

/ bɪsk /

noun

1. tennis golf croquet an extra point, stroke, or turn allowed to an inferior player, usually taken when desired

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Etymology

Origin of bisque¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from French; literally, “crayfish soup,” of uncertain origin

Origin of bisque²

First recorded in 1605–15; from French, earlier biscaye, of uncertain origin

Origin of bisque³

First recorded in 1655–65; short for biscuit

Explanation

A bisque is a creamy soup. Your favorite seafood restaurant might make a delicious lobster bisque. A classic French bisque is made with broth from shellfish — either crab, lobster, shrimp, or crayfish — although thick, cream-based vegetable soups are often also called bisques. Originally, a bisque was thickened not with cream but with rice and the ground shells of crustaceans. The word bisque, "crayfish soup" in French, stems either from the Bay of Biscay or the technique of bis cuites, or "twice cooked."

Example Sentences

French chef Anne-Sophie Pic, who has 10 Michelin stars, has prepared a menu for Adenot that includes lobster bisque and foie gras.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Instead of the usual freeze-dried nutrients that astronauts eat, Adenot, 42, will be choosing from the likes of "Foie gras cream on toasted brioche" and "Lobster bisque with crab and caraway".

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

Take the Kewpie Doll, which used to be made out of fragile bisque porcelain until the invention of celluloid turned her future around.

From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2024

Pull out the cloth napkins and silver — this bisque garners respect.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2023

“I got your soup! And it’s bisque, not el bisqué. It’s a fancy word for soup.”

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi