Definition

A dish that is baked with a topping of browned crumbs, cheese, or other ingredients, often creating a crispy crust.

Example

The chef prepared a delicious potato gratin for dinner.

Conversation

Have you ever tried making a gratin?

No, I haven't, but it sounds delicious!

It's really good, especially with potatoes and cheese.

I love cheesy dishes — I should definitely give a gratin a try!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gratin comes from the French word 'gratin', which is derived from 'gratter' (meaning to scrape or to grate). The term refers to a dish that is topped with a browned crust, often achieved by scraping or grating cheese or breadcrumbs on top before baking. Thus, 'gratin' describes a dish that has a crispy, scraped topping.

Memory Tip

Think of the French word 'gratter', which means to scrape or grate, to remember that 'gratin' refers to a dish with a crispy, scraped topping.

Visually Confused Words