sommelier

[ suhm-uhl-yey; French saw-muh-lyey ]

noun

, plural som·me·liers [suhm-, uh, l-, yeyz, saw-m, uh, -, lyey].

1. a waiter, as in a club or restaurant, who is in charge of wines.

sommelier

/ ˈsʌməlˌjeɪ /

noun

1. a wine steward in a restaurant or hotel

Word History and Origins

Origin of sommelier¹

1920–25; < French, Middle French, dissimilated form of *sommerier, derivative of sommier one charged with arranging transportation, equivalent to somme burden (< Late Latin sagma horse load < Greek ságma covering, pack saddle) + -ier -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of sommelier¹

French: butler, via Old French from Old Provençal saumalier pack-animal driver, from Late Latin sagma a packsaddle, from Greek

Example Sentences

Water sommelier Martin Riese points out the absurdity of “Naturally Calorie-Free” labeling on a bottle of water.

From Los Angeles Times

I decided to try them out with Owen Bargreen, a certified Level 2 sommelier.

From Seattle Times

We know Daphne and the roommate, a sommelier named Miles, are perfect for each other immediately.

From Seattle Times

"No algorithm can truly understand the complex interplay between climate, soil, and grape varieties that gives wine its subtlety and character," says Jonathan Kleeman, executive head sommelier at UK restaurant business Tom Sellers Story Group.

From BBC

With the firewood burning, the Nigerian Guinness chilled by the in-house sommelier, the chefs in their whites gather in the stainless-steel kitchen for a brief team meeting.

From BBC