Fond
noun /fɒnd/ — The caramelized residue stuck to the pan after cooking.
Definition
The browned, caramelized bits of food that stick to the bottom of a pan after cooking meat or vegetables. Far from waste, fond is concentrated flavor — the foundation of pan sauces. Deglazing releases it into the liquid.
Beyond the definition
The fond is where the flavor went when you weren't looking. Every great pan sauce begins with recognizing that what seems like mess is actually the point.
Origin & history
French: literally 'bottom, base, foundation'; from Latin 'fundus' (bottom). In culinary French, 'fond' refers to the base of a pan or the base of a sauce.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Don't wash that pan yet — the fond is the best part. Deglaze it with wine and you have a sauce.
After the chicken, the fond was deep mahogany — the promise of something magnificent in the right hands.
He taught her that the fond was not failure but foundation: nothing browns without leaving something behind.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Fond” when the meaning fits your context: The browned, caramelized bits of food that stick to the bottom of a pan after cooking meat or vegetables. Far from waste, fond is concentrated flavor — the foundation of pan sauces. Deglazing releases it into the liquid.
Synonyms
drippings, pan residue
Related words
Fond vs drippings
Fond is specifically the caramelized, solid residue left on the pan surface. Drippings are the rendered fats and juices collected from roasted meats.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Bread Dipped Into Rich Sauce
An adult holds bread dipped into a dark, rich, simmering sauce, highlighting the deep, concentrated color and texture of the result.
Fond refers to the caramelized bits of food stuck to a pan after cooking. This concentrated flavor is the essential foundation for pan sauces, which are created when deglazing releases these particles into the liquid.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Fond" mean?
Fond is noun meaning: The caramelized residue stuck to the pan after cooking.. The browned, caramelized bits of food that stick to the bottom of a pan after cooking meat or vegetables. Far from waste, fond is concentrated flavor — the foundation of pan sauces. Deglazing releases it into the liquid.
Where does the word "Fond" come from?
French: literally 'bottom, base, foundation'; from Latin 'fundus' (bottom). In culinary French, 'fond' refers to the base of a pan or the base of a sauce.