croque madame
noun
croque ma·dame
ˌkrȯk-mə-ˈdam 
-ˈdäm,
ˌkräk-,
ˌkrōk-
variants
or Croque Madame
or less commonly croque-madame
plural croque madames
ˌkrȯk-mə-ˈdam(z)
-ˈdäm(z),
ˌkräk-,
ˌkrōk-
or Croque Madames also croque-madames
: a ham and cheese sandwich often with béchamel sauce that is sometimes dipped in egg batter before being grilled, baked, or pan-fried and that is topped with a fried or poached egg : a croque monsieur with a cooked egg on top
Also worth a mention is the croque madame, a grilled ham and cheese topped with a poached or fried egg …—
Stefani Dias
Stefani DiasBrunch specialties include the Croque Madame, a counterpart to the batter-dipped Croque Monsieur sandwich, topped with a sunny-side-up egg.—Joe Hotchkiss
Joe HotchkissCroque madames come in myriad combinations. Thinly sliced ham and gruyère cheese seem the constant, but the sandwiches can be grilled until golden or baked until puffy.—Sue Kidd
Sue KiddThe version that adds a fried egg on top, said to resemble a lady's hat, is called the croque-madame.—Kendra Nordin
compare croque monsieur
Kendra NordinExamples of croque madame in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At this cheffy Columbia bistro, Mother’s Day will entail a live jazz brunch with a la carte menu options such as mini beignets, pimento-cheese croque madames and lobster quiches.
—
Jane Godiner,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
Menu highlights will include Peruvian seafood crudo, West Coast oysters, crab cakes Benedict with caviar, Australian Wagyu steak and eggs, truffle croque madame and more.
—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
For the croque madame, the egg component is served fried atop the sandwich.
—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
15 Nov. 2025
There are leather banquettes, all-day pancakes, and rotating daily specials like a substantial croque madame on Texas toast.
—
Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
French brasserie Gaspar is a good choice with a menu offering a superb tuna tataki, cassoulet and croque madame.
—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Francophiles who find themselves in Chapel Hill will be delighted to choose between a croque madame or steak frites and crème brûlée or torte au chocolat et aux noisettes.
—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
20 Sep. 2024
Think Pithiviers stuffed with lamb, shiitakes, and Sichuan pepper; a croque madame layered with shrimp and chile oil; and fresh pasta tossed with saucy mapo tofu.
—
Lindsey Tramuta,
Bon Appétit,
27 June 2024
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Jane Godiner,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
Menu highlights will include Peruvian seafood crudo, West Coast oysters, crab cakes Benedict with caviar, Australian Wagyu steak and eggs, truffle croque madame and more.
—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
For the croque madame, the egg component is served fried atop the sandwich.
—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
15 Nov. 2025
There are leather banquettes, all-day pancakes, and rotating daily specials like a substantial croque madame on Texas toast.
—
Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
French brasserie Gaspar is a good choice with a menu offering a superb tuna tataki, cassoulet and croque madame.
—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Francophiles who find themselves in Chapel Hill will be delighted to choose between a croque madame or steak frites and crème brûlée or torte au chocolat et aux noisettes.
—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
20 Sep. 2024
Think Pithiviers stuffed with lamb, shiitakes, and Sichuan pepper; a croque madame layered with shrimp and chile oil; and fresh pasta tossed with saucy mapo tofu.
—
Lindsey Tramuta,
Bon Appétit,
27 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Croque madame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/croque%20madame. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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