omelet

noun om·e·let \ˈäm-lət, ˈä-mə-\

: a dish made from eggs that are mixed together, cooked without stirring, and served folded in half often with a filling of cheese, vegetables, or meat

Full Definition of OMELET

: beaten eggs cooked without stirring until set and served folded in half

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Variants of OMELET

om·e·let or om·e·lette \ˈäm-lət, ˈä-mə-\

Origin of OMELET

French omelette, alteration of Middle French amelette, alemette, alteration of alemelle thin plate, ultimately from Latin lamella, diminutive of lamina

First Known Use: circa 1611

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

OMELETTE Defined for Kids

omelet

noun om·e·let \ˈäm-lət, ˈä-mə-lət\

Definition of OMELET for Kids

: beaten eggs cooked without stirring until firm and folded in half often with a filling

Variants of OMELET

om·e·let or om·e·lette \ˈäm-lət, ˈä-mə-lət\

Word History of OMELET

Although the word omelet does not have much resemblance to the Latin word lamina, the shape of an omelet does resemble a thin plate, which is what lamina, the ultimate source of omelet, means. The Romans used the noun lamella, which is derived from lamina, to mean “thin metal plate.” Lamella became lemelle in Old French, then, by a long series of changes, amelette or omelette by about 1600. The word also took on the additional meaning “dish of beaten eggs,” and was borrowed from French into English in the 1600s.

Learn More About OMELET

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "omelet"

Nglish: Translation of "omelet" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "omelet" for Arabic speakers

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