cutlet
C1culinary, general, informal
Definition
Meaning
A thin, boneless piece of meat, often from the rib, loin, or leg, that is coated and fried or grilled. Also commonly refers to a similar-shaped patty of ground meat, fish, vegetables, or legumes, breaded and fried.
In broader culinary contexts, any patty of minced or ground food, breaded and fried, resembling the shape of a traditional meat cutlet (e.g., vegetable cutlet, lentil cutlet). Historically referred to a small slice of meat from the neck or ribs.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a culinary term. In British English, can colloquially refer to a person's ear (slang, dated/regional). The core concept involves a flattened, slice/pattie shape suitable for frying.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'cutlet' more readily refers to a thin slice of meat (e.g., lamb cutlet, veal cutlet), often with the bone attached (e.g., a 'chop'). In American English, it strongly leans toward the breaded and fried patty concept (e.g., 'pork cutlet' akin to 'tonkatsu', 'chicken cutlet'), often boneless. The vegetable/legume patty usage is common in both, but may be called a 'croquette' or 'patty' more often in AmE.
Connotations
BrE: Can evoke traditional butchery/roasts (lamb cutlets). AmE: Often evokes breaded, fried, schnitzel-style dishes.
Frequency
Moderate in both varieties within culinary contexts. More frequent in AmE for specific breaded dishes (e.g., on sandwich shop menus).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[ADJ] cutletcutlet of [NOUN][VERB] a cutletVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Use your loaf and your cutlets (dated BrE slang: 'loaf of bread' = head, 'cutlets' = ears, meaning 'think and listen').”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in catering, hospitality, or food retail contexts (e.g., 'sales of prepared cutlets rose by 15%').
Academic
Rare, except in historical, cultural, or culinary studies texts.
Everyday
Common in home cooking, restaurant menus, and food discussions.
Technical
Used in butchery, culinary arts, and food technology to describe specific cuts and preparations.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I had a chicken cutlet with chips for dinner.
- She bought four lamb cutlets from the butcher.
- For a healthier option, try grilling the cutlet instead of frying it.
- These vegetable cutlets are made with potatoes and peas.
- The recipe calls for pounding the veal cutlets until they are an even thickness.
- He expertly breaded the pork cutlets before placing them in the hot oil.
- The chef's signature dish reinterpreted the classic cutlet, using panko breadcrumbs and a delicate lemon caper sauce.
- In Victorian cookery, a mutton cutlet was often trimmed of fat and served with a rich gravy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chef CUTting a LET-tuce leaf to place under a crispy, golden-brown meat patty – a CUT-LET.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS A SHAPED OBJECT (a flattened, portioned unit).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: Russian 'котлета' (kotleta) refers almost exclusively to a ground meat patty (like a hamburger patty), not a slice of meat. English 'cutlet' can be a slice *or* a patty. For a Russian-style ground meat patty, 'patty' or 'croquette' is often closer.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cutlet' for a thick steak (e.g., 'a cutlet of sirloin' is odd). Confusing 'cutlet' with 'cutlass' (a sword). Plural: 'cutlets' (regular -s).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'cutlet' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A chicken cutlet is usually a chicken breast that has been sliced horizontally to make it thinner, or pounded thin. Sometimes it also refers to this thin piece after it has been breaded and cooked.
Yes, 'fish cutlet' is common, especially in British and Commonwealth English. It typically refers to a patty made from flaked cooked fish mixed with potato and spices, then breaded and fried.
A schnitzel is a specific type of cutlet. All schnitzels are cutlets (thin, breaded, and fried), but not all cutlets are schnitzels. 'Schnitzel' specifically denotes the Austrian/German style of preparation (e.g., Wiener Schnitzel).
Because the Russian borrowing 'котлета' (kotleta) has undergone semantic narrowing. In Russian, it almost exclusively means a ground meat patty, while in English, 'cutlet' can mean that, but more commonly refers to a thin slice of meat, often breaded.