souffle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal/culinary
Quick answer
What does “souffle” mean?
A light, fluffy baked dish made primarily with beaten egg whites and a base ingredient, which rises significantly when baked.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A light, fluffy baked dish made primarily with beaten egg whites and a base ingredient, which rises significantly when baked.
Any light, airy, and insubstantial thing, concept, or situation that is prone to sudden collapse or deflation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Both varieties use the unaccented spelling 'souffle' more commonly than 'soufflé' in general text, though the accented form is also correct.
Connotations
Connotes sophistication, fine dining, and culinary finesse equally in both cultures.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to its presence on many restaurant menus, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “souffle” in a Sentence
[Adj] souffle of [Ingredient]souffle [Verb: rise/collapse/fall]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in hospitality/culinary business reports.
Academic
Rare, except in historical or cultural studies of food.
Everyday
Used when discussing cooking, dining out, or as a metaphor for fragility.
Technical
Core term in professional cookery and gastronomy.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “souffle”
- Misspelling: 'soufle', 'soufflé' (accent is optional but less common in English).
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable in American English (/ˈsuː.fleɪ/ instead of /suːˈfleɪ/).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I will souffle the eggs') – while understood, this is non-standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are acceptable in English. The unaccented 'souffle' is more common in general writing, while 'soufflé' is often used in culinary contexts to reflect the French origin.
Souffles collapse primarily due to a sudden drop in temperature or physical shock. The structure is held up by air bubbles in the egg whites; when these cool or are disturbed, they contract, causing the souffle to fall.
Typically, no. Souffles are best served immediately after baking, as they begin to deflate within minutes. However, you can prepare the base and beat the egg whites ahead of time, combining and baking just before serving.
No. Souffles can be sweet (e.g., chocolate, lemon) or savory (e.g., cheese, herb, vegetable). The basic technique of incorporating beaten egg whites is the same.
A light, fluffy baked dish made primarily with beaten egg whites and a base ingredient, which rises significantly when baked.
Souffle is usually formal/culinary in register.
Souffle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuː.fleɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /suːˈfleɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “collapse/fall like a souffle (to fail or deflate suddenly and completely)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SO Uplifted, Fluffy, Light, and Ephemeral' – it SO U FLEw up but can fall fast.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRAGILE SUCCESS/AMBITIOUS PROJECT IS A SOUFFLE (requires perfect conditions, looks impressive, but can collapse easily).
Practice
Quiz
In its metaphorical sense, what does 'a souffle' most commonly represent?