prix fixe
pree-FIX
/ˌpriː ˈfiːks/
A complete meal consisting of several courses served at a total fixed price.
Emphasizes value and structured dining curating multiple courses under one set price.
The story behind the word. Literally translating to 'fixed price' in French, this phrase gained widespread popularity during the 19th century in French dining houses to offer complete multi-course meals to urban workers at predictable prices.
Word relationships
- set menu: Set menu is plain English, while prix fixe carries an elevated, formal French culinary association.
- a la carte: A la carte charges each selected item separately.
Commonly confused with
- prefix: A prefix is a word element placed at the beginning of a word; prix fixe is a fixed-price set menu.
Collocations
- prix fixe menu
- three-course prix fixe
- prix fixe lunch
- special prix fixe
Example sentences
- "The restaurant offers a three-course prix fixe dinner during restaurant week." Dining promotion
Memory hook
PRIX sounds like PRICE, FIXE means FIXED — a fixed price meal. Fixed total price for set courses.
When not to use
Do not use when diners pay for each individual side or dish separately.
Fun facts
- Prix fixe menus were created to help French restaurants budget ingredient costs predictably.
Related words
Explore more words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.