chèvre

American  

[shev-ruh, shev, she-vr^uh] / ˈʃɛv rə, ʃɛv, ˈʃɛ vrə /

Also chevret

noun

1. any cheese made from goat's milk.

---

chèvre British  

/ ˈʃɛvrə /

noun

1. any cheese made from goats' milk

---

Etymology

Origin of chèvre

< French chèvre goat. See chevon

Explanation

Chevre is a fancy way to say "goat cheese." There are many different varieties of chevre, but the most common type is soft enough to crumble on a salad or spread on a slice of baguette. In the U.S., fresh chevre usually comes in a small log and tastes mildly tangy. There are a lot of other kinds of chevre, including hard cheeses and aged versions with stronger flavors. What makes them all chevre is the fact that they're made using goat milk — in fact, in French chèvre means "goat," and the cheese itself is called fromage de chèvre.

Example Sentences

Dine-in: The Thanksgiving menu includes poached pear salad, smoked chèvre, apple-brined turkey breast, beef tenderloin, pumpkin pie and more.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 15, 2023

His chèvre cheesecake, tiled in sliced plums, and passion fruit pie, garnished with pepper-spiked meringue wands, are equal to the class acts that precede them.

From Washington Post • Nov. 21, 2022

But among the classics she revisits is an extremely compelling cheesecake — made from chèvre, it’s tart, a little salty and a wonderful backdrop for strawberries cloaked with balsamic syrup.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2021

You can even swap out the feta for another crumbly cheese like chèvre — don't tell me this wouldn't be delicious made with a big old brick of cream cheese!

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2021

La chèvre, se tordant le groin, Répond que c'est à Béthléem.

From Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan by Miles, Clement A.