delicatessen

American  

[del-i-kuh-tes-uhn] / ˌdɛl ɪ kəˈtɛs ən /

noun

1. a store selling foods already prepared or requiring little preparation for serving, as cooked meats, cheese, salads, and the like.

2. Informal. the food products sold in such a store or at a counter.

   We're having delicatessen for dinner.

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delicatessen British  

/ ˌdɛlɪkəˈtɛsən /

noun

1. a shop selling various foods, esp unusual or imported foods, already cooked or prepared

2. such foods

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Etymology

Origin of delicatessen

1885–90, < German, plural of Delikatesse dainty < French délicatesse

Example Sentences

An early job washing dishes at a delicatessen piqued her interest in cooking.

From The Wall Street Journal

The city’s appetizing stores, which first appeared in the late 19th century, are a type of delicatessen that only sells products such as smoked and cured fish, dairy and nuts due to kosher law.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bunty Singh, who owns a local café and delicatessen, said he had no issue with anyone flying a national flag but also insisted there were no problems with immigration in Bridge of Weir.

From BBC

Opening her delicatessen just after lockdown, she has lived in the town for 12 years and has seen the number of independent shops flourish, even though "most High Streets have died these days".

From BBC

The market moved to its current site in Poplar, east London, in 1982, where it supplies fish to businesses, fishmongers, fish-and-chip shops, delicatessens and restaurants.

From BBC

Related Words

• cafeteria
• deli