smorgasbord

Swedish smör·gås·bord

[smawr-guhs-bawrd, -bohrd, shmawr-]

noun

1. a buffet meal of various hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, salads, casserole dishes, meats, cheeses, etc.

2. an extensive array or variety.

   The company has a smorgasbord of employee benefits.

smorgasbord

/ ˈsmɜː-, ˈsmɔːɡəsˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a variety of cold or hot savoury dishes, such as pâté, smoked salmon, etc, served in Scandinavia as hors d'oeuvres or as a buffet meal

Word History and Origins

Origin of smorgasbord¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from Swedish smörgåsbord, equivalent to smörgås “(slice of) bread and butter, sandwich,” from smör “butter”; ( smear ( def. ) ) + gås “goose, (dialect) lump of fat or butter” ( goose ( def. ) ) + bord “table” ( board ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of smorgasbord¹

Swedish, from smörgås sandwich + bord table

Example Sentences

As players led a brawny ape and a cartwheeling monkey through jungles, ancient ruins and snowscapes, they were treated to a musical smorgasbord of atmospheric tunes.

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The former president delights in well-done steak and fast food, and served a smorgasbord from McDonald’s and similar outlets at a 2019 White House gathering to honor the champion Clemson University football team.

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The Conservative's shadow science secretary Andrew Griffith described the speech as a "smorgasbord" including some "socialist greatest hits", such as new employments rights which he said would impose "red tape" on businesses.

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The Gathering is filled with well-rounded, believable characters who grapple with a smorgasbord of contemporary themes.

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Enjoy this whimsical smorgasbord of art fare — and eat your heart out.

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Related Words

• array 
• assortment 
• hodgepodge 
• mishmash