confit

noun

con·​fit kōn-ˈfē How to pronounce confit (audio)
kȯn-, 
kän-
1
: meat (such as goose, duck, or pork) that has been cooked and preserved in its own fat
2
: a garnish made usually from fruit or vegetables that are cooked until tender in a seasoned liquid

Examples of confit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The duck confit and salmon tagine are must-tries, and the cocktails are excellent. — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Choices on the menu include lobster rangoons, green gazpacho, tandoori-scented eggplant and duck-confit-egg tostadas. — Jane Godiner, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026 Artful pizzas go beyond margherita with varieties like a clam pie with funky lemons, confit shallots, and raclette mornay sauce, or a chilaquiles slice with chorizo. — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 June 2026 La Capitale is a French brasserie that appeals to more locals than guests for its unique-in-town dishes like duck confit, bouillabaisse, and steak au poivre. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for confit

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, noun derivative from past participle of confire "to treat (food, an animal or vegetable substance) in order to preserve it," going back to Old French "to prepare (a drink), preserve (fruit) in a liquid or sugar," going back to Latin conficere "to carry out, perform, make, bring about, collect, bring to completion" — more at confect

Note: In sense 1 the French word is most likely a gallicized form of the cognate word in the Occitan of Gascony or Languedoc. See note at comfit.

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of confit was in 1951

Rhymes for confit

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Browse Nearby Words

confiserie
confit
confitent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confit. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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