haute

American

[oht] / oʊt /

especially before a vowel haut

adjective

high-class or high-toned; fancy.

an haute restaurant that attracts a monied crowd.
high; elevated; upper.

Etymology

Origin of haute

1780–90; generalized from haute couture, haute cuisine, etc.; < French, feminine of haut literally, high; see haughty

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.

The answers, though, seem largely incidental beside the pageantry of haute cuisine and burbling table talk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The world of haute cuisine is currently confronting mounting accusations about the treatment of staff at top restaurants.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

According to Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, experimenting with haute couture can serve as a confidence booster.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

All eyes were on Armani Privé too as it unveiled its first haute couture collection since founder Giorgio died last year, aged 91.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

Then the fad spread to two fashion designers who used the shoes to peddle something else — haute couture.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023