shallot

noun

shal·​lot ˈsha-lət How to pronounce shallot (audio) shə-ˈlät How to pronounce shallot (audio)
plural shallots
1
: a perennial onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) that produces small clustered bulbs which resemble those of garlic and are used in cooking
also : its bulb
2
: green onion

Examples of shallot 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.
Shingle ½ small crisp apple (such as Fuji or Gala), very thinly sliced, over cheese, then top with shallots. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026 Transfer the oranges to the shallot mixture, but don’t toss them together. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 Yellow onions tend to be the most versatile, although red onions, white onions, sweet onions, and shallots all have their place too. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026 The sauce readers rave about is a blend of shallot, chicken stock, fresh lemon juice, capers, butter, and parsley, a simple combination that packs a flavorful punch. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shallot

Word History

Etymology

modification of French échalote, from Middle French eschalotte, alteration of eschaloigne, from Vulgar Latin *escalonia — more at scallion

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shallot was in 1664

Rhymes for shallot

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Browse Nearby Words

shallop
shallot
shallow
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shallot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shallot. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shallot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shallot

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