frites

American  

[freet] / frit /

plural noun

French.

1. French fries.

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Usage

What does frites mean? Frites are French fries. Frites is the French word for French fries. In English-speaking countries, frites is used on menus to indicate that the fries are prepared in the Belgian or French style. But more often the word is simply used to make them sound fancier. Frites is typically used in the plural. Example: True Belgian frites are cut to a certain thickness and are usually squared off at the ends.

Example Sentences

But the city is one of the most multicultural in the world, and there’s a lot more to its food than steak frites.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

We ordered what I consider to be the perfect lunch: mussels poached in white wine and herbs, slices of crusty country loaf griddled in olive oil, and a plate of frites with aioli.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2025

I had hoped to celebrate my birthday over Taix’s steak frites au poivre with my fiancée.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2024

A’Town Bistro serves a distinctively French menu, think French onion soup and truffle parm frites, with local nods like the Skagit Valley burger and Taylor shellfish clam chowder.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 6, 2023

He has soupe aux croutons, veau à la Marengo, pommes frites, a small portion of Gruyère, and a bottle of wine.

From Fifth Avenue by Maurice, Arthur Bartlett