au gratin

American  

[oh graht-n, oh grat-n, aw graht-n, aw grat-n, oh gra-tan] / oʊ ˈgrɑt n, oʊ ˈgræt n, ɔ ˈgrɑt n, ɔ ˈgræt n, oʊ graˈtɛ̃ /

adjective

Cooking.

1. cooked or baked with a topping of either browned breadcrumbs and butter or grated cheese, or with both: cauliflower au gratin.

   au gratin potatoes;

   cauliflower au gratin.

---

au gratin British  

/ o ɡratɛ̃ /

adjective

1. Also: gratinated.  covered and cooked with browned breadcrumbs and sometimes cheese

---

Etymology

Origin of au gratin

First recorded in 1800–10; from French: literally, “with the scraping,” (i.e., the burnt part)

Example Sentences

Coquilles Saint-Jacques is essentially a frou-frou description for scallops au gratin, more often prepared as a casserole than in those magical shells which are harder to find these days.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2025

They hosed down food carts, bagged trash and helped prepare the day’s lunch: ham and macaroni au gratin, stir-fried snow peas and citrus gelatin cubes.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2021

The French menu features classics such as French onion soup, steak frites and macaroni au gratin.

From Washington Post • Jan. 15, 2020

Trump asked for another plate of au gratin.

From New York Times • Sep. 29, 2015

Plus, there was a choice of buttered carrots, lima beans, french-fried onions, and potatoes au gratin.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple