noun

charcuterie

shar-KOO-tuh-ree

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Charcuterie (noun) means Cured, smoked or preserved meats served cold — salami, prosciutto, pâté, terrines, sausages and similar — usually presented sliced on a board with bread, cheese and pickles. Example: “We ordered a plate of charcuterie to share before the main course.”

noun

Cured, smoked or preserved meats served cold — salami, prosciutto, pâté, terrines, sausages and similar — usually presented sliced on a board with bread, cheese and pickles.

"We ordered a plate of charcuterie to share before the main course."

"The market stall sells local charcuterie and hard cheeses."

culinary The craft of preparing and preserving meat by curing, salting, smoking or potting; also a shop selling such products.

"He trained in charcuterie before opening the deli."

"There is a small charcuterie on the corner near the market."

How to use charcuterie

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCold cured meats like salami and ham, usually served on a board.

When to use it

Neutral but slightly upmarket; it signals a restaurant or deli context rather than a supermarket packet of ham.

Memory tip

Charcuterie is uncountable — order some charcuterie or a charcuterie board, never two charcuteries.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

salumi → cold cuts cheese board

Common pairings

charcuterie board charcuterie plate a selection of charcuterie artisan charcuterie

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “charcuterie” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We ordered a plate of _____ to share before the main course.

Etymology

From French charcuterie, from chair cuite 'cooked flesh', originally the trade of the pork butcher.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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cold cuts cured meats salumi cold meats

Related words

salumi

Rhymes for charcuterie

pie die lie tie sie vie hie i.e. brie movie eerie moxie

See all rhymes for charcuterie →

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce charcuterie?

Roughly shar-KOO-tuh-ree, with the French sh at the start and the final syllable light. The middle syllable carries the stress, and the R at the end is barely sounded in English.

What is the difference between a charcuterie board and a cheese board?

Strictly, charcuterie means the meat, so a charcuterie board is built around cured meats with cheese, bread and pickles as accompaniments. A cheese board is the reverse. In everyday use the two have blurred, and charcuterie board is now often applied to any grazing board.

Is charcuterie always pork?

Traditionally yes — the French trade was specifically the pork butcher's — but the word now covers cured duck, beef bresaola, game terrines and more. Pork still dominates most boards.

What is the meaning of charcuterie?

"charcuterie" (noun) means cured, smoked or preserved meats served cold — salami, prosciutto, pâté, terrines, sausages and similar — usually presented sliced on a board with bread, cheese and pickles.

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