fillet
1 of 2noun
fil·let ˈfi-lət 
in sense 2b also fi-ˈlā,
ˈfi-(ˌ)lā variants or less commonly filet
fi-ˈlā
ˈfi-(ˌ)lā
1
: a ribbon or narrow strip of material used especially as a headband
2
a
: a thin narrow strip of material
b
: a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish
especially : the tenderloin of beef
3
a
: a concave junction formed where two surfaces meet (as at an angle)
b
: a strip that gives a rounded appearance to such a junction
also : a strip to reinforce the corner where two surfaces meet
4
: a narrow flat architectural member:
a
: a flat molding separating others
b
: the space between two flutings (see flute entry 1 sense 3) in a shaft
fillet
2 of 2verb
fil·let ˈfi-lət
in sense 2 also fi-ˈlā,
ˈfi-(ˌ)lā
filleted; filleting; fillets
transitive verb
1
: to bind, furnish, or adorn with or as if with a fillet
2
: to cut into fillets
Example Sentences
Noun a juicy fillet of beef Verb He carefully filleted the fish with a sharp knife.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 On May 7, 2001, Jason Pritchard entered Mountain View Elementary School with a fillet knife and slashed three children in line for breakfast. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 3 July 2022 This recipe offers a little insurance even if your fillet is not optimal. Ann Maloney, Washington Post, 31 May 2022 Fortunately, David Varley, executive chef of Mother Tongue in Los Angeles, is here to save you from ever having to suffer through another crummy fillet. Paul Kita, Men's Health, 20 July 2022 The carp’s skeleton is composed of an intricate lacework of intermuscular bones that branch off in a Y shape deep inside the flesh of the fish, creating a vexing puzzle for a fillet knife. Peter Kendall, Washington Post, 22 June 2022 Traditionally, the fish arrives at the table presented whole with its head and tail, though the puffed appearance of the center-stage fillet is said to resemble a bushy squirrel. Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2022 Everyone loves the fillet, but the rest of fish is very underrated. Emma Balter, Chron, 14 June 2022 The seafood linguine with flying fish roe is a winner, as is the sea bass fillet with gnocchi, eggplant, and cashew, in lemon butter and cilantro. Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Von Diaz, Washington Post, 3 June 2022 Fabric bought from Florence bind the cushions made by Sabbagh, and a roving cart becomes a talker when staff use it to carve a whole chicken or fillet a fish tableside. Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2022 Each challenge is based on one of her signature dishes: how to fillet a flat fish, or make clarified butter and soufflés. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2022 The Barracuda can allow as many as six fishermen at one time to fillet fish and grind the bones, heads and guts. cleveland, 6 Aug. 2021 The Muckleshoot of Washington state have hosted workshops on how to fillet a salmon and slice up an elk. Richard Mertens, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Feb. 2021 Simply fillet the meat off the thighbone and cut away the knuckle that’s attached to the meat. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 May 2020 Instead of filleting and moving on, take the time to explain each part and its function. Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2020 But for those specifically seeking out fried fish: St. Paul fries a raft of it, including cod in crunchy Schlitz beer batter, and an exceptionally moist and meaty breaded walleye fillet. Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2020 See More
Noun
But it’s the solo Isbell performances that are the fillet of Pettus’ recordings. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 On May 7, 2001, Jason Pritchard entered Mountain View Elementary School with a fillet knife and slashed three children in line for breakfast. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 3 July 2022 This recipe offers a little insurance even if your fillet is not optimal. Ann Maloney, Washington Post, 31 May 2022 Fortunately, David Varley, executive chef of Mother Tongue in Los Angeles, is here to save you from ever having to suffer through another crummy fillet. Paul Kita, Men's Health, 20 July 2022 The carp’s skeleton is composed of an intricate lacework of intermuscular bones that branch off in a Y shape deep inside the flesh of the fish, creating a vexing puzzle for a fillet knife. Peter Kendall, Washington Post, 22 June 2022 Traditionally, the fish arrives at the table presented whole with its head and tail, though the puffed appearance of the center-stage fillet is said to resemble a bushy squirrel. Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2022 Everyone loves the fillet, but the rest of fish is very underrated. Emma Balter, Chron, 14 June 2022 The seafood linguine with flying fish roe is a winner, as is the sea bass fillet with gnocchi, eggplant, and cashew, in lemon butter and cilantro. Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Verb
The text is also instructional, explaining how to fillet a whole fish, ferment and pickle, and use layering to achieve unorthodox flavor combinations. Von Diaz, Washington Post, 3 June 2022 Fabric bought from Florence bind the cushions made by Sabbagh, and a roving cart becomes a talker when staff use it to carve a whole chicken or fillet a fish tableside. Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2022 Each challenge is based on one of her signature dishes: how to fillet a flat fish, or make clarified butter and soufflés. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2022 The Barracuda can allow as many as six fishermen at one time to fillet fish and grind the bones, heads and guts. cleveland, 6 Aug. 2021 The Muckleshoot of Washington state have hosted workshops on how to fillet a salmon and slice up an elk. Richard Mertens, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Feb. 2021 Simply fillet the meat off the thighbone and cut away the knuckle that’s attached to the meat. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 May 2020 Instead of filleting and moving on, take the time to explain each part and its function. Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2020 But for those specifically seeking out fried fish: St. Paul fries a raft of it, including cod in crunchy Schlitz beer batter, and an exceptionally moist and meaty breaded walleye fillet. Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English filet, from Anglo-French, diminutive of fil thread, from Latin filum — more at file
Verb
derivative of fillet entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing fillet
Kids Definition
fillet
noun
fil·let ˈfi-lət
fi-ˈlā
: a piece of boneless meat or fish
Medical Definition
fillet
noun
fil·let ˈfil-ət
: a band of anatomical fibers
specifically : lemniscus
filleted
verb
as in garlanded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- garlanded
- braided
- ribboned
- embroidered
- feathered
- flounced
- frilled
- hung
- painted
- swagged
- laced
- wreathed
- filigreed
- fringed
- hanged
- chased
- figured
- gilded
- appliquéd
- bossed
- freshened
- gilt
- brightened
- jeweled
- pearled
- gemmed
- smartened
- accessorized
- furbelowed
- redecorated
- adorned
- decorated
- trapped
- draped
- garnished
- trimmed
- decked
- embellished
- ornamented
- jewelled
- festooned
- enriched
- impearled
- beautified
- dressed
- diamonded
- spruced (up)
- blazoned
- dressed up
- embossed
- arrayed
- redid
- graced
- bedecked
- caparisoned
- fancified
- bedizened
- gussied up
- tricked (out)
- emblazed
- did
- dolled up
- glitzed (up)
- did up
- fancied up
- prettied (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- scarred
- disfigured
- defaced
- exposed
- stripped
- dismantled
- spoiled
- marred
- blemished
- spoilt
- displayed
- simplified
- streamlined
- denuded
- revealed
- uncovered
- bared
- divested
- stript
- uglified