beignet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “beignet” mean?
A deep-fried, square or rectangular piece of dough, typically dusted with powdered sugar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A deep-fried, square or rectangular piece of dough, typically dusted with powdered sugar.
A term broadly referring to a fritter or fried pastry, most famously associated with the New Orleans-style square doughnut, but also applicable to similar pastries in French cuisine. It can also be used more loosely for any sweet, fried dough confection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'beignet' almost exclusively refers to the New Orleans-style square, yeast-raised doughnut without a hole, served hot with powdered sugar. In British English, it is a more generic term for a sweet fritter, which can be filled with fruit, jam, or cream.
Connotations
US: Strongly associated with Louisiana, Cajun/Creole culture, and tourist experiences. Evokes warmth, indulgence, and a specific location. UK: Seen as a French patisserie item; connotations are more generic 'continental cafe' or bakery treat.
Frequency
The word is significantly more frequent in American English due to the cultural prominence of New Orleans cuisine. In British English, it is a low-frequency borrowing.
Grammar
How to Use “beignet” in a Sentence
eat a beignethave a beignetorder beignetsserve beignets with [coffee]be dusted/covered in powdered sugarVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in hospitality, tourism, and food industry contexts (e.g., 'Our café's signature beignets drive morning traffic.').
Academic
Rare, except in cultural studies, anthropology, or culinary history papers discussing Louisiana or French foodways.
Everyday
Used when discussing food, travel, or ordering at a café, primarily in the US.
Technical
Used in professional baking and culinary arts to specify a type of pâte à choux or yeast-leavened fried dough.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “beignet”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “beignet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beignet”
- Mispronouncing it as 'beg-net' or 'bay-gnet'.
- Misspelling as 'benyay', 'beigney', or 'bignet'.
- Assuming it always has a filling (the New Orleans style does not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A traditional New Orleans beignet is square or rectangular, made from yeast-leavened dough, has no hole, and is served hot under a mountain of powdered sugar. Doughnuts are often ring-shaped, can be cake or yeast-based, and are glazed or sugared all over.
In American English, it is commonly pronounced 'ben-YAY', with the stress on the second syllable. In British English, it is often pronounced 'BEN-yay', with stress on the first syllable.
While the most famous version is sweet, savoury beignets exist (e.g., made with cheese, vegetables, or seafood), particularly in broader French cuisine. However, in common American usage, the term implies a sweet pastry.
Yes, but it is a less common word. In a bakery or café context, staff will likely understand it as a type of filled fritter. To avoid confusion, you might describe it as 'a French-style fritter'.
A deep-fried, square or rectangular piece of dough, typically dusted with powdered sugar.
Beignet is usually informal, culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms; the word itself is culturally idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'BAY-nyay' for the American pronunciation and remember the phrase: 'Beignets are BENEFITS for your taste buds, served in a NET of powdered sugar.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A beignet is a cloud (light, airy, dusted white). A beignet is a taste of a place (New Orleans).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cultural association of the word 'beignet' in American English?