vinaigrette

American  

[vin-uh-gret, vin-i-guh-ret] / ˌvɪn əˈgrɛt, vɪn ɪ gəˈrɛt /

Also vinegarette

noun

1. a small, ornamental bottle or box for holding aromatic vinegar, smelling salts, or the like.

2. vinaigrette sauce.

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adjective

1. (of a food, as asparagus or artichoke) served with a sauce made with vinegar or with vinaigrette sauce.

vinaigrette British  

/ ˌvɪneɪˈɡrɛt /

noun

1. Also called: vinegarette.  a small decorative bottle or box with a perforated top, used for holding smelling salts, etc

2. Also called: vinaigrette sauce.  a salad dressing made from oil and vinegar with seasonings; French dressing

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adjective

1. served with vinaigrette

Etymology

Origin of vinaigrette

First recorded in 1690–1700; from French, equivalent to vinaigre ( vinegar ) + -ette diminutive suffix ( -ette )

Explanation

Vinaigrette is an oil-based salad dressing or marinade. When a restaurant server asks what kind of dressing you'd like on your salad, vinaigrette is usually one of the options. A basic vinaigrette is made from some kind of oil (often olive oil) whisked with an acidic ingredient, usually vinegar. The word comes from the French, a variation on vinaigre, or "aromatic vinegar." You can also make a vinaigrette using lemon juice. For some people, a more familiar name is "Italian salad dressing."

Example Sentences

Once roasted, the fruit can live in deli tubs for the week, but it’s also charming atop yogurt or ice cream, or stirred into a vinaigrette for a quietly sweet note.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2025

As for dressing, the kit includes an apple vinaigrette that’s made from apple cider vinegar, concentrated apple juice, Dijon mustard and a medley of spices.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025

It’s equally at home as a Tuesday night dinner for friends, especially with a sharp arugula salad on the side — peppery leaves glossed in a citrus vinaigrette that cuts through the butter and cheese.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2025

There was the chicken breast I marinated in lemon juice, rice vinegar and balsamic reduction — a trio I would now classify, gently, as a vinaigrette bloodbath.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2025

Mom returned with a green salad, topped with raw vegetables and vinaigrette dressing.

From "George" by Alex Gino