kitchenette

American  

[kich-uh-net] / ˌkɪtʃ əˈnɛt /

Or kitchenet

noun

1. a very small, compact kitchen.

---

kitchenette British  

/ ˌkɪtʃɪˈnɛt /

noun

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

---

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

Features in multigenerational homes include double master suites with separate entrances, or extra living spaces with their own kitchenette so there can be complete privacy for households with multiple generations.

From MarketWatch • May 9, 2026

The ADU has a roomy kitchenette with white cabinets and countertops, a compact air fryer-toaster oven from Our Place, and a slim retro-style refrigerator from Unique.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

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

They sat for a while in the small, hot kitchenette without saying anything.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Related Words

• gallery