Meaning & use
filet mignon
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable or uncountable
A small, very tender cut of beef taken from the narrow end of the tenderloin.
Grammar: Can be countable when referring to a piece ('a filet mignon') or uncountable when referring to the meat in general ('I ordered filet mignon').
Patterns
- filet mignon with something
- a filet mignon
The restaurant is famous for its filet mignon, which is served with a red wine sauce.
For our anniversary, we grilled filet mignon and vegetables.
She prefers filet mignon because it's so tender.
Word forms
| plural | filets mignons |
|---|
Common combinations
- filet mignon with
- He ordered the filet mignon with a side of mashed potatoes.
- grilled filet mignon
- The grilled filet mignon was cooked to perfection.
- filet mignon steak
- The butcher recommended a filet mignon steak for the special dinner.
- cut of filet mignon
- This cut of filet mignon is extremely lean.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tenderloin
- Refers to the whole tender cut of meat, while filet mignon is a specific small portion from the narrow end.
- fillet
- A general term for a boneless cut of meat or fish; filet mignon is a specific type of beef fillet.
Commonly confused: filet mignon or fillet?
filet mignon vs fillet
A fillet is a boneless piece of meat or fish, but filet mignon specifically refers to a premium beef cut.
Practice
What is the correct spelling in American English for the premium beef cut?
Choose one answer.
'Filet mignon' is the standard American spelling. 'Fillet' is the British spelling. 'Minion' is a completely different word meaning a servant.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “filet mignon”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.