chevre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialised (culinary), formal in food contexts, borrowed from French
Quick answer
What does “chevre” mean?
A soft, creamy goat's milk cheese.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A soft, creamy goat's milk cheese.
A type of cheese originating from France, made from goat's milk, typically soft and with a tangy, sometimes earthy flavour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical; both use the borrowed term in culinary contexts. Slightly more common in US food writing, but not significantly.
Connotations
Conveys sophistication, French origin, and specific culinary quality in both regions.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language, medium frequency in food/cooking magazines, restaurant menus, and gourmet contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chevre” in a Sentence
[Adjective] + chevrechevre + [prepositional phrase: from/in/of]chevre + [past participle: made, served, aged]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chevre” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A chevre-style cheese from Somerset is gaining popularity.
- The chevre dressing was too sharp for her taste.
American English
- The chevre cheesecake was a highlight of the meal.
- He prefers a chevre log over cow's milk brie.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in import/export of gourmet foods or restaurant supply.
Academic
Rare, potentially in culinary history, food science, or anthropology papers.
Everyday
Low, used primarily when discussing specific foods or dining in restaurants.
Technical
Used in culinary arts, cheese-making (affinage), and gastronomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chevre”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chevre”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chevre”
- Mispronouncing as /'tʃiːvər/ or /'ʃiːvər/.
- Using it as a countable noun without an article (e.g., 'I ate chevre' vs. 'I ate some chevre/a piece of chevre').
- Capitalising it (it's typically lower-case in English).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While all chevre is goat cheese, in English usage 'chevre' typically refers specifically to French-style goat cheese, often implying a certain soft, creamy texture and tangy flavour profile. Domestic or other styles might simply be called 'goat cheese'.
The standard anglicised pronunciation is /ˈʃɛvrə/ ('SHEV-ruh'). The 'ch' is pronounced 'sh' as in the original French.
No, it is commonly written without the accent grave as 'chevre' in English texts, though using the accent (chèvre) is also acceptable and indicates closer adherence to the French spelling.
Yes, in culinary contexts it can function attributively, e.g., 'a chevre tart', 'chevre mousse', meaning 'made with or featuring chevre cheese'.
A soft, creamy goat's milk cheese.
Chevre is usually specialised (culinary), formal in food contexts, borrowed from french in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHEV-ruh' from SHE-goat (female goat) makes the cheese.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS SOPHISTICATION / FRENCH IS GOURMET
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of 'chevre'?