What does "smorgasbord" mean?
A Swedish-style buffet comprising a variety of cold sandwiches and other dishes; (by extension) any buffet with a wide selection of dishes.
Smorgasbord
/ˈsmɔːɡæs(ˌ)bɔːd/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A Swedish-style buffet comprising a variety of cold sandwiches and other dishes; (by extension) any buffet with a wide selection of dishes.
- Grammar: smorgasbord is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: antepast, antipasto, aperitif, appetizer.
- Usage evidence: Over the din of a lunch line of second-graders, Jeffrey Proulx shows off the smorgasbord of locally raised products being served at Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School in Hagerstown, Maryland.
How to use "smorgasbord"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "smorgasbord" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "smorgasbord" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A Swedish-style buffet comprising a variety of cold sandwiches and other dishes; (by extension) any buffet with a wide selection of dishes.
"In the middle of the saloon they observed a small table set out with little dishes, containing bread and butter, sardines, pickled herrings, cheese, large baskets filled with rye biscuit, dark and untempting to Mabel's English eye, and the never failing brandy. Gathered around the smorgasbord were all the Swedes talking and eating most earnestly (all standing)."
- 2 an assortment of foods starting with herring or smoked eel or salmon etc. with bread and butter; then cheeses and eggs and pickled vegetables and aspics; finally hot foods; served as a buffet meal wordnet
- 3 An abundant and diverse collection of things. figuratively
"“Every time you went into the library,” said the book, “the Creator of the Universe held His breath. With such a higgledy-piggledy cultural smorgasbord before you, what would you, with your free will, choose?”"
- 4 a collection containing a variety of sorts of things wordnet
Example
"Over the din of a lunch line of second-graders, Jeffrey Proulx shows off the smorgasbord of locally raised products being served at Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School in Hagerstown, Maryland."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "smorgasbord"?
Common synonyms include: antepast, antipasto, aperitif, appetizer, assortment, automat.
How do you use "smorgasbord" in a sentence?
Over the din of a lunch line of second-graders, Jeffrey Proulx shows off the smorgasbord of locally raised products being served at Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School in Hagerstown, Maryland.
How do you pronounce "smorgasbord"?
Pronounced /ˈsmɔːɡæs(ˌ)bɔːd/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Swedish smörgåsbord (“buffet with many small dishes; smorgasbord”), from smörgås (“sandwich”) + bord (“table”). Smörgås is from Swedish smör (“butter”) + gås (“goose”), a reference to pieces of butter which float to the surface of milk when churned.