consomme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Culinary
Quick answer
What does “consomme” mean?
A clear, richly flavoured soup made from a clarified meat or fish stock.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A clear, richly flavoured soup made from a clarified meat or fish stock.
In a metaphorical sense, a distillation or purified essence of an idea or complex topic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The diacritic (accent) is more often retained in British English writing (consommé) and may be dropped in American English (consomme).
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes sophistication and high-quality preparation.
Frequency
Similar low frequency in both, restricted to specific food contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “consomme” in a Sentence
a/the + ADJ (beef) + consommé + of + TYPEserved/used/eaten + as + consomméVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “consomme” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The chef will consommé the veal stock for tomorrow's luncheon.
American English
- The recipe calls for consomméing the broth before adding the garnish.
adjective
British English
- A consommé-style broth was served as an amuse-bouche.
American English
- He prefers a consommé base for his signature dish.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Very rare, except in historical or cultural studies of cuisine.
Everyday
Very low frequency. Used mainly when discussing or ordering food at a high-end restaurant.
Technical
Standard in professional culinary arts and gastronomy texts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “consomme”
- Pronouncing it as /kənˈsɒm/ or /ˈkɒn.səm/. The final syllable is stressed and pronounced like 'may'.
- Using it to refer to any thin soup.
- Spelling as 'consomme' without the accent in formal British writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while broth is a starting point, consommé is a clarified broth, resulting in a perfectly clear and more intensely flavoured soup.
The accent (acute) indicates the final 'e' is pronounced, as in the original French word from which it was borrowed.
Yes, it can be served hot, cold, or even jellied. A jellied consommé is a classic preparation.
It can be challenging for beginners as it requires a careful clarification process using a 'raft' of egg whites and meat to trap impurities, leaving a clear liquid.
A clear, richly flavoured soup made from a clarified meat or fish stock.
Consomme is usually formal / culinary in register.
Consomme: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒnsəmeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːnsəˈmeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None commonly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Consommé sounds like 'concentrated summer' – think of a soup so clear and reduced it's like the essence of a season.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLARITY / PURITY IS A CLEAR LIQUID (e.g., 'Her argument was a consommé of logic').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a consommé?