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confit

/kɒnˈfiː/
IELTSAcademic
noun

A food, especially meat or fruit, that is cooked slowly and preserved in fat or sugar. In French cooking, it can also mean the method itself.

  • We ordered duck confit for dinner.
  • The recipe uses garlic confit.

Adinary Nuance

Confit is more specific than ‘stew’ or ‘roast’. It usually suggests a French-style cooking method, slow cooking, and a rich, preserved result. Writers choose it when the cooking process and texture matter, not just the ingredient.

In other languages

Vietnamese
món confit
Spanish
confit
Chinese
油封菜
Japanese
コンフィ
Korean
콩피

Etymology

From French confit, past participle of confire, meaning “to preserve” or “to prepare.” It entered English through French cooking terms.

Common phrases

duck confitgarlic confitconfit potatoes

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is confit a common word in everyday English?
No, it is fairly specialized. You will see it mostly in cooking, menus, and food writing.
Is confit the same as confit duck?
Duck confit is a dish made using the confit method. The word confit can also refer to other foods made this way.
How do I use confit in a sentence?
Use it as a food term: “The chef served duck confit.”
Is confit formal or informal?
It is neutral, but it sounds more culinary and restaurant-style than everyday speech.