gourmet
A connoisseur of good food; (as an adjective) involving high-quality or exotic ingredients and skilled preparation.
In modern marketing, 'gourmet' is often overused to mean 'expensive,' but its true meaning refers to the expertise of the person or the craft of the food.
Word relationships
- epicure: Epicure is more formal and implies a refined, almost hedonistic love of food.
- foodie: Foodie is casual and modern; gourmet is more traditional and implies higher expertise.
Commonly confused with
- gourmand: A gourmet is a refined judge of quality; a gourmand is someone who simply loves to eat in large quantities.
Collocations
- gourmet meal
- gourmet chef
- gourmet kitchen
- gourmet coffee
Example sentences
- "The gourmet shop sold imported cheeses and rare truffles that you couldn't find in a regular supermarket." Describing a high-end grocery store.
- "As a true gourmet, he traveled across Europe just to visit specific Michelin-starred restaurants." Describing a person's interest.
Memory hook
A GOURMET eats in a GOURMET (GOUR-MAY) way. It sounds like 'Grand' and 'May' (as in 'May I have more?'). Gourmet = Great Quality.
When not to use
Avoid using it for simple, home-cooked comfort food unless it uses exceptionally high-quality ingredients.
Fun facts
- The word 'gourmet' was once used as a synonym for 'groom' in Middle English, but the French culinary influence completely changed its meaning.
Related words
Explore more words
epicurean, degustation, sumptuous, luxurious, exquisite, extravagant
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