parfait

American  

[pahr-fay] / pɑrˈfeɪ /

noun

• parfaits
  plural

1. a dessert of ice cream and fruit or ice cream and syrup in alternate layers, often topped with whipped cream and served in a tall, narrow, short-stemmed glass.

2. any frozen dessert in which fruit, nuts, etc., have been folded into whipped cream or egg custard.

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parfait British  

/ pɑːˈfeɪ /

noun

1. a rich frozen dessert made from eggs and cream with ice cream, fruit, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• parfaits
  plural

Etymology

Origin of parfait

1890–95; < French: literally, perfect < Latin perfectus. See perfect

Explanation

A parfait is a sweet dessert made of layered ingredients in a tall glass. If you order a parfait at your favorite ice cream shop, it may have layers of ice cream, fruit sauce, and whipped cream. Yum! The parfait originated in France around 1890, where it was conceived as a frozen custard made by boiling eggs, sugar, and cream. In French, the word appropriately means "perfect." Over the years since, the parfait has been reimagined as a layered dessert served in a clear glass. Ingredients usually include ice cream or whipped cream, although healthier versions might feature yogurt, granola, and fruit. Tasty, sure — but is it perfect?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parfait parfaits

Store your finished parfait in the refrigerator for a few minutes before enjoying.

From Salon ● May 24, 2026

Here’s Pugh, playing celebrated chef Almut Brühl, gathering ingredients for a Douglas fir parfait, an iffy creation that signals her daring brilliance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2024

But instead of traditional camp fare, I was treated to a delicious locally sourced meal of vegetable lasagna, kale salad with maple chipotle dressing, and a maple blondie parfait.

From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2023

Add pumpkin seeds and pumpkin butter for an autumnal parfait.

From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2022

Her dress was a cream-colored parfait of flounces and bows, but her expression, so gay and animated a moment before, was now furious and tight-lipped.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Connecting with consumers during the shortage also helped Post look beyond the cereal bowl to promote uses in berry bowls, parfaits and even savory recipes.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 12, 2022

They hustled to finish sumptuous brunch spreads: French toast, yogurt parfaits, biscuits, sausage-and-fruit breakfast skewers and more.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 19, 2022

I hadn't much thought about parfaits until I binged my way through every episode of "Zoë Bakes," the feel-good Magnolia Network baking program hosted by author and recipe developer Zoë Francois.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2022

The scene was particularly special to Tehfi, a Bell native who grew up eating parfaits and mashed potatoes at the KFC that once sat in the same spot his restaurant does today.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2022

And at lunch, they serve Jell-0 and yogurt parfaits instead of cake and cookies.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist