gourmet

[ goor-mey, goor-mey ]

noun

1. a connoisseur of fine food and drink; epicure.

   Synonyms: bon vivant, gastronome

adjective

1. of or characteristic of a gourmet, especially in involving or purporting to involve high-quality or exotic ingredients and skilled preparation:

   gourmet meals; gourmet cooking.

2. elaborately equipped for the preparation of fancy, specialized, or exotic meals:

   a gourmet kitchen.

gourmet

/ ɡurmɛ; ˈɡʊəmeɪ /

noun

1. a person who cultivates a discriminating palate for the enjoyment of good food and drink

Word History and Origins

Origin of gourmet¹

1810–20; < French; Old French gromet, grommes valet (especially of a wine merchant)

Word History and Origins

Origin of gourmet¹

C19: from French, from Old French gromet serving boy

Example Sentences

When I spent a week there with friends in early March, I wasn’t expecting much more than a wood-fired stove, but I was pleasantly surprised by all of the gourmet food.

From Outside Online

While we wait for the winds to change, I keep turning to Heidi’s gourmet yet simple recipes for comfort.

From Outside Online

The connected brewers also showed that people were drinking much more premium coffee, perhaps because when you’re not getting a $3 cup at Starbucks, you’re fine spending 70¢ on a gourmet K-Cup.

From Fortune

Pick up a gourmet bakery treat at Rene’s Bakery just across the trail.

From Washington Blade

Ice cream machines can deliver gourmet quality ice cream for less than pricey store-bought pints, and are simple to use.

From Popular-Science

Neither is appealing in a world of easy-to-find gourmet fare.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, an answer to that long-burning question: Where can we watch foodie hamsters devour gourmet miniature burritos?

From The Daily Beast

His lyrical word play contains rhymes about gourmet food more often than not.

From The Daily Beast

Epicurious's iPad app is way better than the website, or the Gourmet cookbook.

From The Daily Beast

But there is a pool, gourmet buffet spreads; it is its own perfect place, in a way.

From The Daily Beast

No true gourmet would ever send this warbler to the shambles so long as scarcer birds might be obtained.

From Project Gutenberg

On birthdays and other auspicious occasions dishes appeared which would tempt a gourmet.

From Project Gutenberg

The cannibal advertiser evidently is a gourmet, for he is particular as to age, and never eats them married.

From Project Gutenberg

Jimmy's a gourmet when he orders at the Pump Room and he's trying to overawe you.

From Project Gutenberg

You are a gourmet, you know better about these things than I do, eh?

From Project Gutenberg