éclair
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of éclair
1860–65; < French: literally, lightning (flash), Old French esclair, noun derivative of esclairier to light, flash < Vulgar Latin *exclariāre, for Latin exclārāre, equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + clārāre to make bright, derivative of clārus clear
Explanation
An eclair is a delicious French pastry that's filled with cream and topped with chocolate. You might think of an eclair as a fancy donut — although Parisians might disagree with you. The French éclair means "flash of lightning," and the scrumptious pastry got its name from the tendency people have to eat eclairs "in a flash." The 19th century Chambers Dictionary famously defined the eclair as "a cake, long in shape but short in duration." An eclair is like a stretched-out cream puff, choux dough baked and filled with creamy custard. Try one and see how long it lasts.
Vocabulary lists containing eclair
English Words Derived from French, List 11
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
I Survived the Battle of D-Day, 1944
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Small as an Elephant
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’m one heavenly bite into a mini éclair, and he shoots me a judgmental glare.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2022
The staple ingredient in this éclair cake, and indeed all éclairs, is pâte à choux, an eggy dough that you cook on the stove before finishing in a stand mixer.
From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2022
I do not recall what became of this botched beginning but am quite positive it did not magically turn into a chocolate éclair.
From Slate ● Jul. 9, 2018
He wheels his bike confidently up to the cafe, birdlike and sprightly in a striped shirt and skinny jeans, and wolfs down an éclair.
From New York Times ● Aug. 6, 2016
She had been funny about that chocolate éclair.
From The Wall Street Girl by Wolfe, George Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
