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Definition of emmental
emmental
/ˈɛmənˌtɑːl/
em · men · tal
Plural:emmentals
emmental Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
A firm, pale yellow cheese originally from Switzerland, characterized by large internal holes and a mild, slightly nutty flavor.
Example
"For the fondue, she grated a generous mixture of Gruyère and Emmental to ensure a smooth, rich melt."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for emmentalWord Nuance & Usage
In North America, Emmental is often referred to generically as 'Swiss cheese', though strictly speaking, Emmental is a specific traditional cheese with a legally protected designation in Switzerland.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from German 'Emmental', named after the Emmental valley in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, which takes its name from the river Emme and 'Tal' (meaning valley).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Emmental. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/emmental