à la mode

[ ah luh mohd, al-uh-; French a la mawd ]

adjective

1. in or according to the fashion.
2. Cooking.
   1. (of pie or other dessert) served with a portion of ice cream, often as a topping:

      apple pie à la mode.

   2. (of beef ) larded and braised or stewed with vegetables, herbs, etc., and served with a rich brown gravy.

à la mode

/ æ lə; ɑː lɑː ˈməʊd; a la mɔd /

adjective

1. fashionable in style, design, etc
2. (of meats) braised with vegetables in wine
3. (of desserts) served with ice cream

Word History and Origins

Origin of à la mode¹

First recorded in 1640–50; French, literally, “in the current fashion”

Word History and Origins

Origin of à la mode¹

C17: from French: according to the fashion

Example Sentences

I was conducted to a very handsome apartment, and my health enquired after by the vizier's secretary, 'a-la-mode Turque!'

From Project Gutenberg

The concourse of the citizens thither is alluded to in the prologue to "Marriage-a-la-Mode."

From Project Gutenberg

French a-la-mode beef, or beef a-la-daube, is prepared as above, but stewed slowly all night in lard.

From Project Gutenberg

Marriage a-la-mode was one of Dryden's most successful comedies.

From Project Gutenberg

It is very good with a-la-mode beef gravy instead of butter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• served with ice cream
• topped with ice cream