gratine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “gratine” mean?
A dish baked or browned with a crust of breadcrumbs, grated cheese, or both, often under a grill.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dish baked or browned with a crust of breadcrumbs, grated cheese, or both, often under a grill.
Refers to the cooking technique of browning the top of a dish, or the crusty topping itself. By extension, can describe anything with a browned, crisp surface.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally recognized in both culinary contexts, though 'au gratin' as a descriptive phrase is perhaps more frequent in American usage. The accent (é) is often omitted in English writing, especially in the US.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of a refined, classic, or rich cooking method in both dialects.
Frequency
More common in written recipes and restaurant menus than in everyday speech. Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the popularity of dishes like 'scalloped potatoes au gratin'.
Grammar
How to Use “gratine” in a Sentence
[dish] au gratin[noun] gratinéed with [cheese/breadcrumbs][noun] baked gratin-styleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gratine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She will gratinée the fish with a Parmesan crust.
- The potatoes need to be gratinéed under the grill.
American English
- Gratinée the casserole for the last five minutes.
- The chef gratinéed the tops of the oysters.
adverb
British English
- The dish was served gratin.
American English
- Cook it gratin-style for a crisp finish.
adjective
British English
- The gratin potatoes were a perfect golden brown.
- We served a gratin cauliflower side dish.
American English
- It's an au gratin potato bake.
- He prefers his vegetables gratin style.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used.
Academic
Used in culinary arts, food history, and gastronomy texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing cooking, dining out, or following recipes.
Technical
Specific term in professional cookery for the technique and finished dish characteristic.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gratine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gratine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gratine”
- Misspelling as 'gratinée' (which is the feminine form in French, not typically used in English for the technique), confusing with 'gratuity' (tip).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While cheese is common, the defining feature is the browned crust, which can be made from breadcrumbs, buttered crumbs, or just the caramelised surface of the dish itself.
In American usage, 'scalloped' often refers to a baked dish with a creamy sauce, while 'au gratin' specifically implies a browned, crusty topping (often with cheese). The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, causing confusion.
A shallow, oven-proof dish is ideal to maximise the surface area for the crust. These are often called 'gratin dishes'.
Yes, in culinary English it is accepted as a verb meaning 'to brown the top of a dish under a grill or in an oven', often with added ingredients like cheese or breadcrumbs.
A dish baked or browned with a crust of breadcrumbs, grated cheese, or both, often under a grill.
Gratine is usually formal/culinary in register.
Gratine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡratɪneɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrɑːtənˈeɪ/ or /ˈɡrætənˌeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “au gratin (French phrase adopted into English)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GRAting cheese on TIN' to make it 'gratin'.
Conceptual Metaphor
COVERING IS A FINISH (the gratin is the final, decorative, protective layer).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a 'gratinéed' dish?