mignonette

noun

mi·​gnon·​ette ˌmin-yə-ˈnet How to pronounce mignonette (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Reseda of the family Resedaceae, the mignonette family) of herbs
especially : a garden annual (R. odorata) bearing racemes of fragrant whitish flowers
2
: a sauce made typically with vinegar, pepper, and herbs and served especially with oysters

Illustration of mignonette

Illustration of mignonette
  • mignonette 1

Examples of mignonette 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.
Condiments should be sharp—a savory jolt of mignonette or vinegary hot sauce, an austere spritz of lemon—and the same goes for drinks. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026 Classic mignonette is a simple French sauce made with vinegar, shallots, and black pepper, traditionally served with raw oysters. — Janet McCracken, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 July 2026 That presents itself in items like oysters on ice, for $22, which contains a half-dozen East Coast oysters, mignonette, cocktail sauce and a lemon. — Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026 Start with oysters on the half shell, served with a pickled red onion mignonette. — Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mignonette

Word History

Etymology

French mignonnette, from obsolete French, feminine of mignonnet dainty, from Middle French, from mignon darling

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mignonette was in 1785

Browse Nearby Words

mignon
mignonette
mignonette family
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mignonette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mignonette. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mignonette

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mignonette

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