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Synonyms

culinary

American  
[kyoo-luh-ner-ee, kuhl-uh-] / ˈkyu ləˌnɛr i, ˈkʌl ə- /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or used in cooking or the kitchen.


culinary British  
/ ˈkʌlɪnərɪ /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or used in the kitchen or in cookery

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • culinarily adverb

Etymology

Origin of culinary

1630–40; < Latin culīnārius of the kitchen, equivalent to culīn ( a ) kitchen, food + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There’s a Hindi word called “dhamaka,” which translates to explosion — or intense and bold flavors when used in a culinary context.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

Three finalists - Luke Emmess, Mark O'Brien and Gareth Baty - made it through a series of culinary challenges, impressing not just judges Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing but also high-profile Michelin-starred restaurateurs.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Los Angeles serves as an extension of home for Jalisciences, who have had considerable influence on the makeup of the city’s culinary and cultural landscape.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Thanks to a four-piece combo involving immigration from regions that embrace dark meat, along with evolving culinary culture, economic forces and technological advances, chicken thighs are ubiquitous.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Alexandra was at the kitchen table absorbed in culinary rites.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee