baguette

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/bæˈɡɛt/
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A crisp French loaf, a narrow rectangular jewellery cut, a small rounded moulding, and in slang an offensive label for a French person.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • A baguette cut looks longer than a round cut of the same weight.
  • The restorer replaced the broken baguette on the panel.
  • The drawing labels the small bead as a baguette.
  • The crust of the baguette cracked as she cut it.
  • A style guide flagged baguette as offensive slang.

Similar words

step cut
rectangular cut
French loaf
baguette cut
French person
French bread
small molding
small moulding
bead
French stick

Meanings

Long French loaf

noun
food
neutral
A long thin loaf of French bread, usually with a crisp crust and a light, open crumb.

Usage

Use baguette for the bread shape and style, especially when the long loaf and crisp crust matter.

Examples

  • She tore a warm baguette in half for lunch.
  • The bakery sold out of baguettes before noon.
  • A sliced baguette works well with soup.
  • He packed cheese and a baguette for the picnic.
  • The crust of the baguette cracked as she cut it.
  • They made small sandwiches from one baguette.

Common mistakes

The word is stretched to any bread, and the plural agreement is sometimes missed.
IncorrectCorrect
I bought a round baguette. I bought a round loaf.
The baguette are fresh. The baguettes are fresh.
She baked a baguette cake. She baked a long loaf of bread.

Similar words

French stick
French bread
French loaf

Narrow rectangular gem cut

noun
jewelry
technical
A narrow rectangular gemstone, or the step cut that gives a diamond or other gem that long clean shape.

Usage

Use baguette in jewellery for the stone or cut, often in phrases such as baguette diamond or baguette cut.

Examples

  • Her ring has two baguettes beside the centre stone.
  • The jeweller suggested a tapered baguette for the setting.
  • A baguette diamond gives the bracelet a clean line.
  • The watch face is framed with tiny baguettes.
  • A baguette cut looks longer than a round cut of the same weight.
  • The side stones are straight baguettes, not emerald cuts.

Common mistakes

The cut is confused with round or cushion cuts, and the word is used where only size is meant.
IncorrectCorrect
The ring has round baguettes. The ring has round stones.
The diamond's baguette is too big. The diamond is too big.
She chose a pearl baguette. She chose a pearl.

Similar words

baguette cut
rectangular cut
step cut

Small rounded moulding

noun
architecture
technical
A small convex architectural or decorative moulding, similar to a bead and used on frames, panels, or edges.

Usage

Use baguette in architectural or cabinetmaking descriptions for a small rounded moulding, not for a full trim system.

Examples

  • The cornice is finished with a narrow baguette.
  • A gilt baguette runs around the mirror frame.
  • The restorer replaced the broken baguette on the panel.
  • The drawing labels the small bead as a baguette.
  • A baguette is smaller than the main round moulding.
  • The cabinetmaker used a baguette to soften the edge.

Common mistakes

The word is mistaken for the bread, and it is applied to large or flat trim pieces.
IncorrectCorrect
The cornice has a bread baguette. The cornice has a baguette moulding.
The wide flat board is a baguette. The wide flat board is trim.
The frame has three baguette breads. The frame has three baguette mouldings.

Similar words

bead
small moulding
small molding

Offensive term for a French person

noun
slang
slang
A slang insult for a French person, built from a stereotype and unsuitable in neutral or respectful speech.

Usage

Use baguette in this sense only when discussing or quoting offensive slang, and use French person in ordinary writing.

Examples

  • The comment used baguette as an insult and was removed.
  • Do not call a French person a baguette.
  • The slur baguette reduces a person to a stereotype.
  • The article quoted baguette only to explain why it is offensive.
  • A style guide flagged baguette as offensive slang.
  • In neutral writing, use French person instead of baguette.

Common mistakes

The insult is treated as a playful nickname, although it reduces a person to a stereotype.
IncorrectCorrect
My French colleague is a baguette. My colleague is French.
The baguettes arrived from Paris. The French visitors arrived from Paris.
Baguette is a neutral nationality word. Baguette is offensive slang for a French person.

Similar words

French person

Usage

Keep the bread sense separate from the technical jewellery and architecture senses, and avoid the slang use except when it is being explained or quoted.

Common mistakes

A round baguette confuses shape and bread type, while the slang use is often wrongly treated as harmless.

Etymology

Borrowed from French baguette, meaning stick or small rod, from Italian bacchetta, little stick.

FAQ

What does baguette mean?

baguette most often means a long thin French loaf, but it can also mean a rectangular gem cut, a small moulding, or offensive slang for a French person.

Is baguette an English word?

Yes. English borrowed baguette from French, and it is a normal English noun.

What is a baguette in jewellery?

A baguette is a narrow rectangular gemstone or the cut that gives a stone that shape.

What is a baguette in architecture?

In architecture, a baguette is a small rounded moulding, similar to a bead.

Is baguette offensive slang?

It can be. Calling a French person a baguette is offensive slang and should be avoided outside discussion or quotation.

What is the plural of baguette?

The plural is baguettes.

How is baguette pronounced?

baguette is pronounced /bæˈɡɛt/ in English.

Is a baguette the same as a breadstick?

No. A baguette is a loaf of bread, while a breadstick is smaller and usually crisp all the way through.

What is a baguette diamond?

A baguette diamond is a diamond cut in a long narrow rectangle.

Where does baguette come from?

baguette comes from French and is connected to an older meaning of a small stick or rod.

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