kitchenette

American  

[kich-uh-net] / ˌkɪtʃ əˈnɛt /

Or kitchenet

noun

1. a very small, compact kitchen.

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kitchenette British  

/ ˌkɪtʃɪˈnɛt /

noun

1. a small kitchen or part of another room equipped for use as a kitchen

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Etymology

Origin of kitchenette

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; kitchen + -ette

Explanation

A kitchenette is a very small, scaled-down area for doing basic cooking and food preparation. If your fancy hotel suite has a kitchenette, you can make popcorn in the microwave. The suffix -ette is used as a diminutive, to mean "a small version," and that's just what a kitchenette is — a kitchen, but smaller. Sometimes a kitchenette is distinguished by its pint-sized appliances, like miniature refrigerators and narrow stovetops. It might also be missing certain standard elements of a kitchen, like a sink or a dishwasher. If you're staying in a hotel or living in a college dorm, a kitchenette can be all the kitchen you need.

Example Sentences

Behind the scenes, Tesla engineers were working out of a kitchenette on campus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

While a bit dated, the room had a kitchenette and a microwave, as well as a separate fridge from the minibar setup.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

The second level features “a second primary suite, au pair suite with kitchenette and private entry, and additional en suites,” according to the listing.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 14, 2025

The couple had hoped to install a one-bedroom unit with a full kitchen but ultimately chose a studio with a kitchenette because of their local setback requirements.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2023

I find myself standing in the middle of the main room, not knowing exactly how I got in here from the kitchenette.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

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