family style


adverb, adjective
  1. (of a meal) with the serving platters on the table so that all present can serve themselves.

Origin of family style

1
An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Words Nearby family style

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use family style in a sentence

  • He admired this fashion in gardening; it had an air of magnificence, was courtly and noble, and befitting good old family style.

  • There was always this sort of county family style about the town and people, who were always fond of sports, and had a cock-pit.

    Cornish Saints and Sinners | J. Henry Harris