cocotte: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Formal / Culinary / Historical
Quick answer
What does “cocotte” mean?
A small, lidded cooking dish (often made of earthenware or cast iron), used for slow-cooking individual portions of food, such as a pot pie.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, lidded cooking dish (often made of earthenware or cast iron), used for slow-cooking individual portions of food, such as a pot pie.
In a historical context, the term can refer to a high-class prostitute or kept mistress (especially in late 19th-century France); also refers to a type of ornate, high-style woman's hat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the culinary term; the historical/dated sense is equally known in literature. More likely to appear on menus in high-end British restaurants due to French culinary influence.
Connotations
Culinary: Neutral/specialist. Historical: Often pejorative, implying a lavish lifestyle. The hat sense is obscure.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, but slightly higher in UK English culinary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cocotte” in a Sentence
serve [something] in a cocottecook [something] en cocotteprepare [a dish] in individual cocottesVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical/cultural studies for the societal role. In culinary arts, it's a technical term.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Specific term in professional kitchens and culinary writing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cocotte”
- Mispronouncing as /koʊˈkoʊt/. Confusing it with 'cocoon'. Using it to refer to any small bowl.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term mostly found in culinary or historical contexts.
Yes, but this is a dated, historical usage referring to a courtesan or kept mistress, originating from 19th-century French.
They are often used interchangeably, but a cocotte typically has a lid and is designed for slow-cooking, while a ramekin is often lidless and used for baking dishes like crème brûlée.
In British English: /kɒˈkɒt/ (ko-KOT). In American English: /koʊˈkɑːt/ (koh-KAHT).
A small, lidded cooking dish (often made of earthenware or cast iron), used for slow-cooking individual portions of food, such as a pot pie.
Cocotte is usually formal / culinary / historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “en cocotte (cooked in its own juices in a sealed pot)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COOk serving a COTtage pie in a small COCOTTE dish.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR A COMPLETE EXPERIENCE (a single, self-contained dish representing a whole meal or a specific lifestyle).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cocotte' most likely to be used today?