sommelier

American  

[suhm-uhl-yey, saw-muh-lyey] / ˌsʌm əlˈyeɪ, sɔ məˈlyeɪ /

noun

plural

sommeliers

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

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sommelier British  

/ ˈsʌməlˌjeɪ /

noun

1. a wine steward in a restaurant or hotel

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Etymology

Origin of sommelier

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

Example Sentences

Martynas Zemavicius, a former sommelier in London restaurants, founded his company Acala in Lithuania to produce tea-based drinks that mimic the minerality, pH level and sugar content of wine.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

He also became a certified sommelier and lecturer who teaches a community education course on the art and science of winemaking.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026

“I tried to engage with the sommelier, and it was like I was bothering him,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

She has gone on to judge awards, host retreats, and work as an olive oil sommelier, and says she is busier now than ever.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2025

The sommelier brought the beer, tall, beaded on the outside of the steins, and cold.

From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway