thermidor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Culinary
Quick answer
What does “thermidor” mean?
A month in the French Republican calendar (mid-July to mid-August).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A month in the French Republican calendar (mid-July to mid-August).
Primarily used in the culinary term 'lobster thermidor' (or similar seafood dishes), referring to a preparation where cooked lobster meat is mixed with a creamy, wine-based sauce (often with mustard, herbs, and cheese), returned to the shell, and browned under a grill or broiler.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The dish is associated with classic, high-end cuisine in both cultures.
Connotations
Connotes luxury, classic (often old-fashioned) fine dining, richness, and complexity. It is not a casual or everyday food term.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Slightly higher frequency in culinary writing, menus of traditional upscale restaurants, and food history contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “thermidor” in a Sentence
[Seafood] + thermidorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thermidor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The thermidor sauce was perfectly seasoned.
- He ordered the prawns thermidor.
American English
- The thermidor-style lobster is our signature.
- They serve a delicious crab thermidor.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical texts about the French Revolution. Rarely in culinary history.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be encountered on a very formal restaurant menu.
Technical
A specific term in professional cookery and gastronomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thermidor”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thermidor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thermidor”
- Using 'thermidor' as a standalone noun (e.g., 'I'd like the thermidor') instead of 'the lobster thermidor'.
- Misspelling as 'thermodor', 'thermador', or 'thermidore'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while 'lobster thermidor' is the classic and most famous use, the preparation can be applied to other shellfish like prawns, crayfish, or crab, often indicated as 'prawn thermidor', etc.
It is generally believed to have been created in 1894 at a Paris restaurant and named in honour of the play 'Thermidor', which was about the French Revolution. It links the dish to a specific historical moment (the Thermidorian Reaction).
No, it is not standard to use 'thermidor' as a verb (e.g., 'to thermidor the lobster'). The adjectival form ('thermidor-style' or 'prepared thermidor') is used instead.
It is always served hot. The dish is filled with a hot, creamy sauce and the final browning under intense heat is a defining step.
A month in the French Republican calendar (mid-July to mid-August).
Thermidor is usually formal / culinary in register.
Thermidor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθɜː.mɪ.dɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθɝː.mɪ.dɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'There's more DOOR to the oven for the THERM-al heat needed to brown the THERMIdor.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A NAME FOR A PROCESS (The name of a calendar month metaphorically represents a complex culinary preparation, implying a specific historical or classic origin).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'thermidor' most commonly used today?