gourmet

American  

[goor-mey, goor-mey] / gʊərˈmeɪ, ˈgʊər meɪ /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   bon vivant, gastronome

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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 British  

/ ɡurmɛ, ˈɡʊəmeɪ /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of gourmet

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

Example Sentences

The five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom property also features a gourmet kitchen as well as an additional guesthouse that is described as being the ideal spot for a home office or “state-of-the-art fitness studio.”

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

Once there, they swarm the island’s beach clubs, gourmet restaurants and luxury hotels, often paying astronomical prices for the privilege to do so.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

Something snacky + local: fruit, gourmet crackers, local crisps, or a small bag from a neighborhood bakery or market.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2026

Frances Hughes, co-founder of online wholesale marketplace Starch, said there’s no question that gourmet sweet treats are still in vogue.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

She once conducted another experiment in which she set up a tasting booth with a variety of exotic gourmet jams at the upscale grocery store Draeger’s in Menlo Park, California.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell