VocabDictionary

delicatessen

/ˌdɛl.ɪ.kəˈtɛs.ən/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A store that sells prepared foods such as cooked meats, cheeses, salads, and unusual or foreign delicacies.

Example Sentences:
  • We went to the local delicatessen to buy fresh pastrami and rye bread for lunch.
  • The neighborhood delicatessen is famous for its homemade potato salad and imported cheeses.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “delicatessen”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into English in the mid-19th century from German 'Delikatessen' (the plural of 'Delikatesse', meaning a delicacy), which itself derives from French 'délicatesse' and ultimately from Latin 'delicatus' (delicate, pleasing). In the United States, German and Jewish immigrants popularized the term to describe shops selling fine, prepared, and foreign foods.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'delicious' foods and 'essen' (which sounds like 'eating' or 'essen' meaning 'to eat' in German).

Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About “delicatessen

1. What is the meaning of “delicatessen” in English?

In English, delicatessen (noun) is defined as: “A store that sells prepared foods such as cooked meats, cheeses, salads, and unusual or foreign delicacies.”.

2. How do you use “delicatessen” in a sentence?

We went to the local delicatessen to buy fresh pastrami and rye bread for lunch.

3. What are English synonyms of “delicatessen”?

Common synonyms include:deli,gourmet shop,provisioner,food store

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “delicatessen”?

Borrowed into English in the mid-19th century from German 'Delikatessen' (the plural of 'Delikatesse', meaning a delicacy), which itself derives from French 'délicatesse' and ultimately from Latin 'delicatus' (delicate, pleasing). In the United States, German and Jewish immigrants popularized the term to describe shops selling fine, prepared, and foreign foods.