patisserie
Americannoun
-
a shop where fancy pastries are sold
-
such pastries
Etymology
Origin of patisserie
1760–70; < French pâtisserie, Middle French pastiserie, equivalent to pastis-, presumed Old French *pastitz pastry (< Vulgar Latin *pastīcium; see pasticcio) + -erie -ery
Explanation
A patisserie is a fancy French bakery. Hungry for a croissant, an eclair, or some macarons? If there's a patisserie in your town, you're in luck! Patisserie is a French word that means "pastry shop," from a Latin root that translates as "composed of paste," which makes more sense when you know that paste meant "dough" before it meant "glue." In French-speaking countries, it's spelled with a circumflex accent: pâtisserie. You can also use this word to describe French cakes and sweets in general: "Their selection of patisserie is really impressive, and I love their pain au chocolate!"
Vocabulary lists containing patisserie
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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.
In New York, you can visit a Jellycat diner and Paris has its own Jellycat patisserie with adults lining up to buy the toys.
From BBC • Oct. 1, 2025
Smith said the show will focus on “very traditional” challenges and themes, including cakes, biscuits, bread, patisserie, chocolate, and party cakes.
From Salon • Sep. 27, 2024
Panterelli patisserie showcases eclairs and cream puffs in West Seattle.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 21, 2023
The scientists built their programmable patisserie by retrofitting a 3D printer with nozzles designed to squeeze out selected ingredients.
From Science Magazine • Mar. 21, 2023
Hand-painted plates boast a kaleidoscope of patisserie and petit-cakes pierced with flaming sparklers.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
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.
