buffet
buh-FAY
/bəˈfeɪ/
A meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves; a counter or side table where food is displayed.
Refers specifically to a self-service meal arrangement rather than seated, plated service.
The story behind the word. The word originated in Old French as 'bufet', describing a stool or sideboard. By the 18th century, the French used it to describe a counter where food was displayed for guests, leading to our modern self-service dining concept.
Word relationships
- smorgasbord: Smorgasbord specifically implies a wide variety of cold and hot dishes of Scandinavian origin or metaphorical diversity.
- spread: Spread is an informal term emphasizing the luxurious quantity of food laid out on a table.
- a la carte: A la carte refers to ordering individually priced dishes served to the table.
Commonly confused with
- buffet (verb): Pronounced 'BUFF-it', the verb means to strike repeatedly, whereas the meal noun is 'buh-FAY'.
Word family
- buffets (noun): Plural form of buffet.
Collocations
- breakfast buffet
- all-you-can-eat buffet
- buffet line
- buffet table
Example sentences
- "The hotel offered an expansive breakfast buffet with hot and cold options." Dining context
- "Guests were invited to line up at the buffet after the speech." Event hosting
Memory hook
Imagine standing at a table wearing a FEATHER BOA (buh-FAY) taking food from a table. Boafay at the buffet table.
When not to use
Do not use when describing a sit-down dinner with personal table service.
Fun facts
- In English, the word has two distinct pronunciations depending on whether it means a meal (buh-FAY) or to batter violently (BUFF-it).
Related words
Explore more words
platter, sideboard, cafeteria, food court, self-serve, seating
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