schnitzel

noun

schnit·​zel ˈshnit-səl How to pronounce schnitzel (audio)
: a seasoned and garnished veal cutlet

Examples of schnitzel 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.
Its chicken schnitzel sandwich is made on buttery challah and topped with its signature zaatar ranch sauce. Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 The chicken is pan-fried until golden, like a juicy and crispy schnitzel. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 May 2025 The mix of contenders mirrored D.C.'s food scene — decades-old businesses and young startups, global chefs creating everything from West African street eats to German schnitzel. Anna Spiegel, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025 While there are plenty of the similar Greek-style gyros in Denver, Diamantopoulos doesn’t know of any other places that sell his kind of döner kebabs, even in German restaurants, which focus on serving traditional cuisine like cabbage rolls, sausages, schnitzels and pretzels. Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for schnitzel

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Schnitzel, literally, "shaving, chip" (originally regional German—Austria—in the sense "veal cutlet"), diminutive of Schnitz "shaving," going back to Middle High German sniz, snitz, derivative of snitzen "to carve," going back to Germanic *snittōn-, iterative derivative of *snīþan- "to cut" — more at schneid

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of schnitzel was in 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Schnitzel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schnitzel. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!