2 syllables: Cro, quette. Stress on quette.
kroh-KET
/kroʊˈkɛt/
Croquette is pronounced kroh-KET (/kroʊˈkɛt/). It has two syllables (Cro-quette), with the stress on "quette". A croquette is a small, breadcrumb-coated morsel, usually containing mashed meat, fish, or vegetables, that is fried until crisp. It is served as a snack or starter in many cuisines, often with dipping sauce. The term denotes both the fried preparement and its typical oblong or rounded shape.
nounA croquette is a small, breadcrumb-coated morsel, usually containing mashed meat, fish, or vegetables, that is fried until crisp. It is served as a snack or starter in many cuisines, often with dipping sauce. The term denotes both the fried preparement and its typical oblong or rounded shape.
"You ordered croquettes as an appetizer at the bistro."
"The snack shop offered chicken croquettes with a tangy dip."
"Her grandmother’s trained hand perfected the croquettes’ uniform crumb coat."
Pronounce it croh-KET. IPA US: /kroʊˈkɛt/, UK: /ˈkrəʊ.kɛt/, AU: /ˈkrəʊ.kɛt/. The stress is on the second syllable, il/et: the final -ette has a short e sound as in et-tet, not a long e. Start with /k/ plus a rounded o sound, glide into /oʊ/ or /rəʊ/ depending on accent, then hit the stressed /ˈkɛt/ with a crisp 'et'.
Common errors: 1) stressing the first syllable instead of the second (KR-ə-ket vs kro-KET). 2) mispronouncing the first vowel as a lax short /ɪ/ or /ɪə/ when it should be /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ depending on accent. 3) failing to pronounce the final -ette as /ɛt/ instead of a quick /ət/. Correction: emphasize the second syllable with /kɛt/ and keep the final vowel short, finishing with a crisp /t/.
US: /kroʊˈkɛt/ with a clear /oʊ/ in the first syllable and /ɛ/ in second; non-rhotic exposure is rare in this word. UK: /ˈkrəʊ.kɛt/ with a more centralized /ə/ in the first syllable and /əʊ/ in the vowel; accent tends to a slightly lighter first vowel. AU: /ˈkrəʊ.kɛt/ similar to UK, but with more open vowel quality and sometimes a flatter intonation. Overall: second syllable stress and final /t/ are stable across accents; first vowel quality shifts between /oʊ/ and /əʊ/ or /ə/.
The difficulty lies in the French-derived -ette ending and the two-syllable rhythm with stress on the second syllable. Learners often misplace stress, confuse /oʊ/ vs /əʊ/, and mispronounce the final -ette as /ət/ or /et/ without crisp consonant release. Practicing the /k/ onset and the silent-sounding but pronounced -ette requires precise articulation of the /ɛ/ vowel in English loanwords.
Croquette uniquely combines a strong French loanword morphology with English phonotactics: the stressed second syllable /ˈkɛt/ and the final /t/ closure, plus the initial /k/ cluster. The -ette ending is a cue to a crisp, single-syllable tail; maintaining this crisp /t/ distinguishes croquette from similar-sounding foods like 'croissant' or 'crocket'.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Croquette"!
Croquette derives from French croquette, diminutive of croquer, meaning to crunch or snap, from croc- meaning to bite. The earliest use in English appears in the 19th century as French influence on culinary vocabulary grew with haute cuisine. Originally, croquettes referred to a minced or puréed filling (often meat or fish) bound with thickened sauce, then rolled in breadcrumbs before frying. The word likely entered English via culinary texts and cookbooks that popularized French techniques across Europe. In France, croquettes were “croquettes” formed into small cylinders or logs; in English-speaking countries, variations expanded to include potato croquettes and vegetable versions. Over time, the term became a general category of fried, log-shaped fillings in a crispy coat, with regional fillings and shapes adapting to local tastes and ingredients. The concept parallels many “croquette” dishes worldwide, but the name remains tied to the original idea of a breadcrumbed, fried morsel with a creamy or cohesive interior. First known use around the 1800s in culinary writing, with notable uptake in French-influenced kitchens of Europe and later in America’s restaurant culture.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Croquette" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Croquette" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Croquette" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Croquette"
-ket sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
