French word

dessert

Pronunciation

IPA/desɛʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine noundessert

Example

Je prends un dessert après le repas.

I have dessert after the meal.

Illustration for dessert (dessert)

More examples

Pour le goûter, elle a choisi un dessert léger.

For an afternoon snack, she chose a light dessert.

Core concept

A sweet portion brought at the end of a meal, such as a pastry, cake, or fruit.

Common phrases

  • prendre un dessert

    have a dessert

  • commander un dessert

    order a dessert

  • choisir un dessert

    choose a dessert

Similar words

gâteau: A sweet baked confection commonly served for celebrations or special occasions.
glace: A frozen sweet made with dairy products or fruit juice.
pâtisserie: A Western-style sweet pastry made with butter or cream.
yaourt: A fermented milk product that may be sweetened and served after a meal.

Definition in French

Portion sucrée servie en fin de repas, souvent constituée de pâtisseries, gâteaux ou fruits.

Word origin

French dessert comes from Old French desserte, related to desservir, meaning to clear the table after serving, and later named the food served afterward.

Usage tips

  • Dessert is masculine, so standard forms include un dessert and le dessert.

Opposites

  • plat principalmain coursenoun
  • entréestarternoun

Word lists with this word