Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

au-gratin

Adjective

/oʊ ˈɡrɑːtən/

Definition

A culinary term referring to a style of cooking in which a dish is topped with a mixture of breadcrumbs and cheese, then baked or broiled until the topping is golden and crispy.

Examples

Potatoes au-gratin are a delicious side for any meal.
She prepared a vegetable au-gratin as a healthy alternative.

Meaning

The term ‘au-gratin’ comes from the French word ‘gratter,’ which means ‘to scrape’. It signifies a method of cooking that creates a crunchy, cheesy crust on top of various dishes.