quenelle

noun

que·​nelle kə-ˈnel How to pronounce quenelle (audio)
: a poached oval dumpling of pureed forcemeat (as of pike) often served in a cream sauce

Examples of quenelle 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.
Plate and finish with quenelles of tyrokafteri. — Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026 In one dish, a healthy quenelle of caviar is perched upon an impossibly light dashi meringue shaped like a fish. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025 Her chicken soup was the color of sunlight, her gefilte fish was as delicate as a French quenelle, her latkes were evenly browned. — Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026 Small plates like oysters Rockefeller and crispy chicken liver pâté quenelle are also available. — Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quenelle

Word History

Etymology

French, from German Knödel dumpling, from Middle High German; akin to Old High German knoto knot — more at knot

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quenelle was in 1845

Rhymes for quenelle

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Browse Nearby Words

quenda
quenelle
quenouille training
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Cite this Entry

“Quenelle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quenelle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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