beignet

[ ben-yey; French be-nye ]

noun

, plural bei·gnets [ben-, yeyz, be-, nye].

1. a fritter or doughnut.
2. French Cooking. any fruit, vegetable, seafood, etc., dipped in batter and deep-fried.

beignet

/ ˈbɛnjeɪ /

noun

1. a square deep-fried pastry served hot and sprinkled with icing sugar

Word History and Origins

Origin of beignet¹

1830–35, Americanism; < Louisiana French beignet ( def 1 ), French beignet ( def 2 ), Middle French bignet pastry filled with fruit or meat, equivalent to buyne literally, bruise, lump from a blow (of uncertain origin; bunion ) + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of beignet¹

C19: French bignet filled pastry, from buyne , literally: bump or lump

Example Sentences

“My parents think I’m on my camping trip. Plus I love beignets and po’boys and gumbo and pralines. Not crawfish though. I can’t eat anything that has eyes.”

From Literature

McIlroy’s introduction to New Orleans included a sampling of crab beignets from popular restaurant Le Petit Grocery on Wednesday night, a meal he shared with Lowry.

From Seattle Times

We ate beignets on Bourbon Street and went night swimming.

From Los Angeles Times

The bright blue liquid swirled around her, the scent reminding her of hot beignets from home.

From Literature

Countless edits, adjustments and additions later — including celebratory beignets at 3 a.m. for Buchanan and Rutz — the job was done.

From Seattle Times