queso

noun

que·​so ˈkā-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce queso (audio)
: a dipping sauce of melted cheese and chopped chili peppers : chili con queso
The author was never told in her Texas elementary school that if she ordered queso … or chalupas once she left home, she'd get only a plateful of disappointment.—Pete Wells
The Mexican-inspired chain is offering free chips with guacamole or queso to customers who purchase their first order on its new smartphone app.—Aric Jenkins

Examples of queso 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.
Sides include rice and beans, chips with salsa or queso or guac, tater tots and fries. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 It’s trimmed with more queso and a Fresno pepper mayo. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026 Ditch the tortilla chips and use mini peppers as a boat for queso at your barbecue. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 Like the grocer's original mild white queso, this spicy version begins with the same tasty white cheddar base. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for queso

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, "cheese," going back to Latin cāseus — more at cheese entry 1

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of queso was in 1989

Phrases Containing queso

Rhymes for queso

See All Rhymes for queso

Browse Nearby Words

Quesnay
queso
queso fresco
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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