mollet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal / Technical (Culinary)
Quick answer
What does “mollet” mean?
The tender, soft-cooked state of a hard-boiled egg, where the white is set and the yolk is thick but runny.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The tender, soft-cooked state of a hard-boiled egg, where the white is set and the yolk is thick but runny.
Primarily refers to the culinary technique of boiling an egg to achieve this specific texture. More broadly, a term in culinary arts describing a precise stage of doneness for an egg or, by analogy, a similar degree of firmness in other foods.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and technical in both varieties, used almost exclusively in professional cooking contexts. No significant regional difference in usage.
Connotations
Connotes culinary expertise, precision, and French influence. Implies a higher-end dining context.
Frequency
Very low frequency overall. More likely encountered in cookbooks, culinary school, or restaurant menus than in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “mollet” in a Sentence
to cook (an egg) molletan egg (is) molleta mollet eggVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mollet” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- For the salad, he prepared a mollet egg, sliced in half.
- The recipe calls for three mollet eggs.
American English
- The chef's signature dish features a mollet egg on asparagus.
- Achieving a perfect mollet egg requires a timer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, potentially in gastronomy or food science texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Replaced by 'soft-boiled egg'.
Technical
Standard, precise term in professional culinary arts and fine-dining menu descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mollet”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mollet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mollet”
- Using 'mollet' as a general adjective (e.g., 'The steak was mollet').
- Pronouncing it as /ˈmɒlɪt/.
- Spelling it as 'mollay' or 'mollette'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While both have runny yolks, 'mollet' specifically refers to an egg that is started in boiling water (not cold) and cooked for about 6 minutes, resulting in a fully set white. Some 'soft-boiled' methods produce a less set white.
Very rarely and only by direct analogy in a culinary context (e.g., 'the potatoes were cooked to a mollet texture'). Its primary and almost exclusive use is with eggs.
In British English, it's /ˈmɒleɪ/ (MOL-ay). In American English, it's /moʊˈleɪ/ (moh-LAY), closer to the French original.
No, it is a low-priority, specialized term. Knowing 'soft-boiled egg' is entirely sufficient for general communication.
The tender, soft-cooked state of a hard-boiled egg, where the white is set and the yolk is thick but runny.
Mollet is usually formal / technical (culinary) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MOLLET' rhymes with 'ballet' – both require precise timing and a soft, elegant result.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION IS A FOREIGN LOANWORD (The specific, technical term is imported to mark it as distinct from the common concept).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'mollet'?