consomme

IPA/kənsˈɒm/
IPA/kənsˈɑːm/

consomme — noun

1. a rich meat broth served clear, with the liquid strained so no pieces remain in

1.nounC1
Definition

a rich meat broth served clear, with the liquid strained so no pieces remain in it.

Example

Caio ordered a hot consomme before the roast chicken arrived.

restaurant pattern: order consomme as a first course

The chef strained the consomme twice until the liquid looked perfectly clear.

preparation: strain consomme until clear

Common collocations
  • beef consomme
  • mushroom consomme
  • cup of consomme
  • serve consomme
Synonyms
  • broth

    a broader word for thin soup or cooking liquid; not always as refined or clarified as consomme

  • bouillon

    often refers to a light clear broth, especially in cooking or on menus; can be less formal than consomme

  • clear soup

    a general category name; consomme is a more specific, more elegant type of clear soup

Grammar Patterns

a consomme

a cup/bowl of consomme

Usage Note

Most often used for a carefully clarified meat soup served in restaurants or formal meals. Unlike ordinary soup, the focus is on a refined, transparent broth rather than solid ingredients.

Common Mistakes

The cafe served a thick consomme with potato chunks.
The cafe served a thick soup with potato chunks.
Consomme is normally clear and strained, so it is not used for chunky soups.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all describe light soups, but they are not exact matches. Broth is the broad everyday word for a thin liquid made by cooking meat, bones, or vegetables, and it can be served on its own or used as a base for another dish. Bouillon often means a light clear broth in cooking or on restaurant menus, but it can sound slightly less formal. Clear soup is only a category label for soups without milk or thick ingredients. Consomme is the most specific and refined term: it refers to a carefully clarified broth that is served for its purity and strong flavour, often in a formal meal.

broth ↗bouillon ↗clear soup

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • cup of consomme
  • serve consomme clear

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Consomme came into English from French consomme, a word meaning something brought to a finished or perfected state. In cooking, the name reflects a broth that has been clarified and refined until it becomes clear and concentrated. The French form comes from Latin consummare, meaning to complete or bring to perfection.