filo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Culinary / Neutral
Quick answer
What does “filo” mean?
An extremely thin, unleavened dough used for making pastries and pies, typically in Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An extremely thin, unleavened dough used for making pastries and pies, typically in Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
By extension, refers to pastries (e.g., baklava, spanakopita) made with this type of dough. Also used attributively to describe dishes made with it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'filo' (from modern Greek) is standard in British English, while 'phyllo' (from the Greek φύλλο, via a transliteration) is dominant in American English. Both refer to the same product.
Connotations
None beyond regional spelling preferences.
Frequency
Higher frequency in food-related contexts in both regions. 'Filo' is the standard spelling in UK publications and supermarket packaging.
Grammar
How to Use “filo” in a Sentence
[Noun] made with filoa [Noun] of filofilo [Noun] (e.g., filo pie, filo parcels)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “filo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She prepared a delicious filo pie for the party.
- The recipe calls for filo pastry cases.
American English
- He made a phyllo dough triangle appetizer.
- We're having a phyllo-wrapped brie.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food import/export, catering supply, or restaurant menu descriptions.
Academic
Rare, may appear in cultural studies, anthropology, or history papers discussing foodways.
Everyday
Common in cooking discussions, recipes, and when buying food items. 'I need to pick up some filo for the baklava.'
Technical
Used in culinary arts contexts, focusing on handling techniques (e.g., 'keeping filo moist under a damp cloth').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “filo”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “filo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “filo”
- Misspelling as 'fillo' or 'phylo'.
- Using it as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'three filos' instead of 'three sheets of filo').
- Confusing it with puff pastry, which uses a different technique.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they refer to the same thin pastry dough. 'Filo' is the standard British English spelling, while 'phyllo' is more common in American English.
Not directly. They have different textures and preparation methods. Filo results in a crisp, flaky, layered effect, while puff pastry is richer and rises to create many buttery layers.
In British English, it's pronounced /ˈfiːləʊ/ (FEE-loh). In American English for 'phyllo', it's often /ˈfɪləʊ/ (FILL-oh) or /ˈfiːloʊ/ (FEE-loh).
It comes from the modern Greek word 'φύλλο' (fýllo), meaning 'leaf', referring to the dough's thin, leaf-like sheets.
An extremely thin, unleavened dough used for making pastries and pies, typically in Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Filo is usually culinary / neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a thin sheet of dough so fine you can FILE through it with a light touch – FILO.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often described metaphorically as 'paper-thin', 'leaf-like', or 'layers of tissue' to convey its extreme delicacy.
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is most commonly used in British English?