souffle

[ soo-fuhl ]

/ ˈsu fəl /

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noun Pathology.

a murmuring or blowing sound heard on auscultation.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of souffle

From French, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at soufflé

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH souffle

souffle , soufflé

Words nearby souffle

soubrette, soubriquet, soucar, souchong, Soudan, souffle, Soufflot, Soufrière, sough, sought, sought-after

Other definitions for souffle (2 of 2)

soufflé

[ soo-fley, soo-fley ]

/ suˈfleɪ, ˈsu fleɪ /

noun

a light baked dish made fluffy with beaten egg whites combined with egg yolks, white sauce, and fish, cheese, or other ingredients.

a similar dish made with fruit juices, chocolate, vanilla, etc., and served as dessert.

adjective

Also souf·fléed . puffed up; made light, as by beating and cooking.

verb (used with object), souf·fléed, souf·flé·ing.

to make (food) puffed up and light, as by beating and cooking, adding stiffly beaten egg whites, etc.; make resemble a soufflé: to soufflé leftover mashed potatoes.

Origin of soufflé

1805–15; <French, noun use of past participle of souffler to blow, puff <Latin sufflāre to breathe on, blow on

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH soufflé

souffle, soufflé

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use souffle in a sentence

If “My Best Part” has a shortfall, it comes in its ambitious screenplay, which perhaps tries to pack too much substance into what feels like it should be as airy as a souffle.
French actor goes home to mother in ‘My Best Part’|John Paul King|February 17, 2022|Washington Blade
A petite souffle is the most theatrical way to conclude dinner.
La Bise adds a fun French touch to downtown Washington|Tom Sietsema|July 23, 2021|Washington Post
Wipe and put them into paper souffle cases with a little oil, butter, and herbs.
The Cook's Decameron: A Study in Taste:|Mrs. W. G. Waters
“We had a souffle that noon, if I remember correctly, Captain,” observed the flattered Mrs. Hepton.
Cap'n Warren's Wards|Joseph C. Lincoln

It is also meat and drink at the same time; something between egg-flip and omelette souffle, but much more digestible than either.
Mirror of the Months|Peter George Patmore
As M. Germain well says: "Il y a un souffle épique dans ces figures."
Burgundy: The Splendid Duchy|Percy Allen
Souffle of ground rice is made the same as the above, the rice, however, not requiring so long to simmer as when whole.
The Gastronomic Regenerator:|Alexis Soyer

British Dictionary definitions for souffle (1 of 2)

souffle

/ (ˈsuːfəl) /

noun

med a blowing sound or murmur heard in auscultation

Word Origin for souffle

C19: from French, from souffler to blow

British Dictionary definitions for souffle (2 of 2)

soufflé

/ (ˈsuːfleɪ) /

noun

a very light fluffy dish made with egg yolks and stiffly beaten egg whites combined with cheese, fish, etc

a similar sweet or savoury cold dish, set with gelatine

adjective Also: souffléed

made light and puffy, as by beating and cooking

Word Origin for soufflé

C19: from French, from souffler to blow, from Latin sufflāre

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012