WordGarden.iofillet
A1Pronunciation
UK
US
- /fəˈleɪ/
Meanings
Noun
a boneless piece of meat or fish
a rounded or narrow piece used to fill, finish, or strengthen a corner or joint
Verb
to cut meat or fish into boneless pieces
to round off or fill a corner or joint with a fillet
Beyond the definition
A fillet is most often a boneless piece of fish or meat. You might cook a salmon fillet for dinner or order a beef fillet at a restaurant. The word can also mean a long, narrow strip of material, such as wood used in building or decoration.
It also appears in design and engineering, where it means a rounded inner edge between two surfaces. So the word may show up in the kitchen, in a workshop, or in a drawing of a part.
The word "fillet" has several related meanings. Most commonly, it means a boneless piece of fish or meat prepared for cooking or eating. A fish fillet is cut away from the bone, and a beef fillet is a tender cut of meat. The spelling filet is also common, especially in food names such as filet mignon.
Outside food, a fillet can be a long, narrow strip or band. In carpentry, woodworking, and architecture, it may be a small flat strip used for joining, spacing, or decoration. In engineering, drafting, and 3D modeling, a fillet is a rounded inner corner or curved transition between two surfaces, often added to make a part stronger or smoother.
There is also an older meaning: a fillet can be a narrow band worn around the head, like a ribbon or simple headband. This use is now uncommon, but it helps explain the basic idea behind the word: something cut or shaped into a narrow piece, strip, or curve. So whether you see it on a plate, in a building detail, or in a technical drawing, "fillet" usually names a neat, defined form with a practical purpose.
Examples
- 1
Seafood order
We ordered a fillet of salmon with lemon and herbs.
- 2
Food preparation
The chef filleted the fish before serving it.
- 3
Beef cut
Fillet steak is usually one of the most expensive cuts of beef.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- filletnounverb
Forms
- filletspluralnounverb
- filletedpast tenseverbnoun
- filleting-ing formverbnoun