noun
Uncommon
buffet
BUUF-ay
Buffet (noun) means a meal set out on a table or counter for guests to serve themselves. Example: “The wedding reception featured a buffet of local dishes.”
noun
1
A meal set out on a table or counter for guests to serve themselves.
"The wedding reception featured a buffet of local dishes."
"He went back for seconds at the breakfast buffet."
verb
1
To strike or knock about repeatedly, especially by wind, waves, or force.
"The small boat was buffeted by strong winds all night."
How to use buffet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often a self-serve style meal; also used as a verb meaning to be repeatedly battered by something like wind or criticism.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
all-you-can-eat buffet
buffeted by criticism
buffeted by winds
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Word forms
- Plural
- buffets
- Third person singular
- buffets
- Past tense
- buffeted, buffetted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The wedding reception featured a _____ of local dishes.
Etymology
From Middle French "buffet," meaning a side table, of unknown deeper origin; the modern pronunciation was later reshaped to match French.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “buffet” mean?
The word “buffet” means a meal set out on a table or counter for guests to serve themselves. In plain terms, most often a self-serve style meal; also used as a verb meaning to be repeatedly battered by something like wind or criticism.
How do you pronounce “buffet”?
“Buffet” is pronounced BUUF-ay (/bəˈfeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “buffet” in a sentence?
Here is “buffet” used in a sentence: “The wedding reception featured a buffet of local dishes.”
What part of speech is “buffet”?
Depending on how it is used, “buffet” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “buffet” come from?
The word “buffet” comes from Middle French. From Middle French "buffet," meaning a side table, of unknown deeper origin; the modern pronunciation was later reshaped to match French.
Is “buffet” a common word?
“Buffet” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “buffet” have?
“Buffet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a meal set out on a table or counter for guests to serve themselves.
What is the difference between a "buffet" (meal) and to "buffet" (verb)?
As a noun, a buffet is a meal set out on a table or counter for guests to serve themselves. As a verb, to buffet means to strike or knock something about repeatedly, especially by wind, waves, or force — an unrelated meaning despite sharing the same spelling.
What does it mean to be "buffeted by" something?
To be buffeted by wind, waves, or criticism means to be repeatedly struck or battered by it. The phrase is often used figuratively, as in being buffeted by bad news.
Is a buffet always all-you-can-eat?
Not necessarily — a buffet simply refers to a self-service meal laid out for guests, which can range from a modest spread to an all-you-can-eat restaurant format.
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