queso

noun

que·​so ˈkā-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce queso (audio)
: a dipping sauce of melted cheese and chopped chili peppers : chili con queso
The author was never told in her Texas elementary school that if she ordered queso … or chalupas once she left home, she'd get only a plateful of disappointment.—Pete Wells
The Mexican-inspired chain is offering free chips with guacamole or queso to customers who purchase their first order on its new smartphone app.—Aric Jenkins

Examples of queso 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.
Right With Breakfast Start your day right at Ayala’s Café with a Breakfast Burrito, Chorizo Scramble, or Southern Benedict served with either hollandaise or queso. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 Roasted Tomatillo Guacamole This fresh-tasting guac is made with roasted tomatillos and grated queso añejo. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 20 Aug. 2026 Little Miner’s version isn’t so much a riff as an homage, with a flour tortilla encasing queso sauce, tortilla chips, chipotle aioli, lettuce, tomato, raw onion, sour cream and a choice of proteins. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 Double meat, guacamole, queso, delivery fees, taxes and tips can push the total close to or above $20, particularly in major cities. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for queso

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, "cheese," going back to Latin cāseus — more at cheese entry 1

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of queso was in 1989

Phrases Containing queso

Rhymes for queso

See All Rhymes for queso

Browse Nearby Words

Quesnay
queso
queso fresco
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Queso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/queso. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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