au gratin

[ oh graht-n, oh grat-n, aw graht-n, aw grat-n; French oh gra-tan ]

adjective

, Cooking.

1. cooked or baked with a topping of either browned breadcrumbs and butter or grated cheese, or with both: cauliflower au gratin.

   au gratin potatoes;

   cauliflower au gratin.

au gratin

/ o ɡratɛ̃ /

adjective

1. covered and cooked with browned breadcrumbs and sometimes cheese Alsogratinated

Word History and Origins

Origin of au gratin¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from French: literally, “with the scraping,” (i.e., the burnt part)

Word History and Origins

Origin of au gratin¹

French, literally: with the grating

Example Sentences

Plus, there was a choice of buttered carrots, lima beans, french-fried onions, and potatoes au gratin.

From Literature

They hosed down food carts, bagged trash and helped prepare the day’s lunch: ham and macaroni au gratin, stir-fried snow peas and citrus gelatin cubes.

From Seattle Times

When you were a child, were you one of those little ones who only ate your vegetables with glee when they were served au gratin — smothered in cream and cheese?

From Washington Post

Suggested side dishes include garlic mashed potatoes, scalloped or au gratin potatoes.

From Seattle Times

This potatoes au gratin recipe is not only delicious, but it looks impressive on a table and is oh so easy to make.

From Seattle Times