sommelier

[suhm-uhl-yey, saw-muh-lyey]

noun

plural

sommeliers 

1. a waiter, as in a club or restaurant, who is in charge of wines.

sommelier

/ ˈsʌməlˌjeɪ /

noun

1. a wine steward in a restaurant or hotel

Word History and Origins

Origin of sommelier¹

1920–25; < French, Middle French, dissimilated form of *sommerier, derivative of sommier one charged with arranging transportation, equivalent to somme burden (< Late Latin sagma horse load < Greek ságma covering, pack saddle) + -ier -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of sommelier¹

French: butler, via Old French from Old Provençal saumalier pack-animal driver, from Late Latin sagma a packsaddle, from Greek

Example Sentences

The snobbish sommelier is a relic from the past—a figure from a less-enlightened time in wine.

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She has gone on to judge awards, host retreats, and work as an olive oil sommelier, and says she is busier now than ever.

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“Hi,” Frank said, waving the sommelier over to pour him a glass of wine.

Read more on Salon

I pinch, sniff, nibble and nod like a sommelier of chlorophyll.

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“Double Scorpio are three different nitrites,” said Edward, the West Hollywood clerk who doubles as a kind of nitrite sommelier.

Read more on Los Angeles Times