gourmet

USAGE SUMMARY

"gourmet" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that is used to describe food of the highest quality. For example: "At the five-star restaurant, they serve only gourmet dishes cooked with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

New openings over the last year include the recently completed Les Voûtes de la Major precinct of boutiques and restaurants near the cathedral and les Halles de La Major market, underneath Cathédrale de la Major, dedicated to gourmet foods.

The Guardian - Travel

For £119 per adult, a family of four can enjoy a city break including two nights' B&B accommodation and one gourmet dinner.

The Guardian - Travel

It is possible to make gourmet meals for one in a teeny-tiny space, and this is important, because romancing your solo self is important.

The Guardian

These days when you drive the Hume Highway between Melbourne and Sydney, and the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane, you can find healthy, gourmet or organic food stops every few hours along the way.

The Guardian - Travel

First, it became a "gourmet island", home to Kadeau, the celebrated restaurant of the local Michelin-starred chef Rasmus Kofoed.

The Guardian - Travel

Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies from various UK airports to Faro from £61 November high: 17C A traditional farmhouse surrounded by olive groves and vineyards is the setting for a four-day gourmet olive break which promises to immerse guests in the specialities of Le Marche region in all its autumn glory.

The Guardian - Travel

The trip includes visits to food markets, olive oil and wine tastings, gourmet meals based around seasonal fare such as chestnuts and truffles, a cookery demonstration and the chance to help with the olive harvest.

The Guardian - Travel

Either Ciel Bleu's gourmet fare like grilled blue fin tuna with passion fruit, fennel and oysters, or try some of Amsterdam's great Indonesian at fashionable Blue Pepper ([phone], restaurantbluepepper.com).

The Guardian - Travel

Just bought a huge consignment of gourmet espresso capsules even though you don't drink coffee?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The restaurant aims to join Kadeau and Stammarshalle Badehotel in the list of gourmet destinations.

The Guardian - Travel

Christian Petz, gourmet chef who now operates the Holy Moly restaurant on the Badeschiff (a boat on the Danube in Vienna with a bar/restaurant, a club and a swimming pool on the deck; badeschiff.at) Austria is a treasure trove for visiting wine lovers.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gourmet", consider your audience and context; it's appropriate for upscale restaurants, culinary articles, and food reviews but might sound pretentious in everyday conversation about simple meals.

Common error

Avoid using "gourmet" to describe ordinary or mediocre food. Overusing the term dilutes its meaning and can come across as pretentious or insincere. Reserve it for genuinely exceptional culinary creations.

Linguistic Context

The word "gourmet" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a high level of quality, sophistication, or refinement, especially in the context of food and dining. Ludwig AI confirms that "gourmet" follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "gourmet" is a widely recognized term for denoting high-quality culinary experiences. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, with substantial presence in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While the core meaning refers to superior food, the term also extends to related areas like kitchens or ingredients. To maximize effectiveness and avoid overuse, reserve "gourmet" for describing genuinely exceptional culinary creations. This information combined with the diverse range of usages from Ludwig provides a clear understanding of how to leverage this term effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fine dining

Focuses on the experience of eating high-quality food in a sophisticated setting.

haute cuisine

Emphasizes the artistry and skill involved in preparing elaborate dishes.

high-end culinary

Highlights the expensive and exclusive nature of the food and its preparation.

epicurean delight

Focuses on the pleasure and enjoyment derived from exceptionally delicious food.

exquisite food

Emphasizes the exceptional quality and artistry of the food.

premium culinary

Highlights the superior quality of the culinary experience.

refined cuisine

Emphasizes the sophistication and elegance of the food preparation and presentation.

top-tier gastronomy

Focuses on the highest level of skill and knowledge in food preparation.

upscale dining

Highlights the luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere of the dining experience.

superior gastronomy

Emphasizes the high level of quality and skill in the food.

FAQs

How can I use "gourmet" in a sentence?

You can use "gourmet" to describe high-quality food items, such as "gourmet cheese" or "gourmet coffee", or to describe a dining experience, such as "a gourmet meal".

What is the difference between "gourmet" and "fine dining"?

"Gourmet" describes the quality of the food, while "fine dining" refers to the entire dining experience, including the service, atmosphere, and presentation.

What are some synonyms for "gourmet"?

Synonyms for "gourmet" include "fine dining", "haute cuisine", and "exquisite food". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of the food you want to emphasize.

Is "gourmet" only used to describe food?

While primarily used for food, "gourmet" can also describe related items like "gourmet kitchen" or "gourmet ingredients", implying high quality and attention to detail.