culinary
KUH-li-ner-ee
/ˈkʌlɪnəri/
Of or for cooking; relating to the kitchen.
A broad term covering everything from professional chef skills to home cooking tools.
The story behind the word. The root 'culina' comes from 'coquere' (to cook). In ancient Rome, the 'culina' was often a small, dark room in the back of the house, far removed from the grandeur of the dining room.
Word relationships
- gastronomic: Gastronomic is more formal and includes the culture of eating; culinary is more practical and kitchen-focused.
Word family
- culinarian (noun): A cook or someone involved in the culinary arts.
Collocations
- culinary skills
- culinary arts
- culinary tradition
- culinary expertise
Example sentences
- "She decided to enroll in culinary school to master the techniques of French pastry." Describing a professional education.
- "The region is famous for its culinary delights, particularly its seafood stews." From a travel guide about a region's food.
Memory hook
Think of 'culinary' and 'culture'—food is the heart of every culture's kitchen. Culina means kitchen.
When not to use
Rarely used to describe the act of eating itself; it focuses on the preparation and the environment of the kitchen.
Fun facts
- The word 'kiln' (used for firing pottery) actually shares the same ancient root as 'culinary'.
Related words
Explore more words
degustation, organoleptic, sensory, epicurean, olfactory, feast
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