deli
Americannoun
plural
delis-
a delicatessen.
-
food typically sold at a delicatessen, as cold cuts, salads, and pickles.
noun
Etymology
Origin of deli
First recorded in 1950–55; by shortening
Explanation
A deli is a market where you can buy prepared food or shop for staples including meat and cheese. You might have a favorite neighborhood deli where you go every morning for a bagel and coffee. The word deli is a shortened form, or common nickname, of delicatessen, an American English version of the German delikatessen, the plural of delikatesse, "delicacy," or "fine food." Many delis specialize in the food of a certain region, country, or ethnicity — like a Jewish deli, a German deli, or a Greek deli. You can usually buy sandwiches, salads, drinks, and specialty foods at delis.
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.
At the Pier Street Deli y Mas, “It’s been really slow,” manager Chelsea Nava said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
There was a movie theater and the original Canter’s Deli opened here.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026
In the wake of this news, Katz’s Deli owner Jake Dell spoke about his experiences with Reiner filming “When Harry Met Sally.”
From Salon • Dec. 17, 2025
And earlier this year, Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal reunited in a Super Bowl commercial to revisit the time Harry and Sally had lunch at Katz’s Deli.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025
Number of minutes off the record for finishing the Saturday deliveries for Spicer’s Deli: Seventeen.
From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
