Definition of gourmetnext
as in epicurean
a person with refined tastes in food and wine food critics have to be gourmets in order to write about food in an informed way

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun gourmet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gourmet are epicure, gastronome, and gourmand. While all these words mean "one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking," gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them.

When would epicure be a good substitute for gourmet?

Although the words epicure and gourmet have much in common, epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste.

When is it sensible to use gastronome instead of gourmet?

The words gastronome and gourmet can be used in similar contexts, but gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.

When is gourmand a more appropriate choice than gourmet?

In some situations, the words gourmand and gourmet are roughly equivalent. However, gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gourmet
Noun
  • This fall Robb Report is gathering some of the greatest chefs in America to descend upon Nashville for the annual epicurean festival that is Culinary Masters.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And now, with a myriad of buzzy new restaurants helmed by some of France’s top chefs and curious creatives from around the world eager to experiment with the territory’s rich ingredients, Biarritz is becoming an epicure’s paradise in its own right.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The epicure who dreamed up this last part was, allegedly, a priest.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Anne Marie Panoringan, Culture OC food writer, notes that even for seasoned gastronomes, the value proposition feels off.
    Brock Keeling, Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Painters, sculptors, designers, and young gastronomes with a forward-thinking vision have put down roots.
    Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Bill Murray, an ardent Chicago and Illinois sports enthusiast, longtime bon vivant, a man of many talents and many roles, had that going for him.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Fairchild played the free-wheeling bon vivant Nora Tyler Bing on five episodes of the sitcom classic, unwittingly embarrassing Perry's Chandler Bing to the delight of his pals.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • His dishes are unconventional, creative, and utterly decadent, so leave the diet at the door and prepare to indulge your inner gourmand.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
  • This Kayali set pairs the Vanilla | 28 (Kayali's cult-favorite gourmand signature) with Freedom Musk Santal | 34.
    Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This recipe, which Melissa Clark adapted from the molecular gastronomist Hervé This, forgoes the cream, eggs and hand mixers required by many mousses, prioritizing chocolate and chocolate alone.
    New York Times, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2022
  • One of the first diets was introduced in the 1840s by a Presbyterian minister named Sylvester Graham, historic gastronomist Sarah Lohman told Live Science.
    Fiza Pirani, ajc, 10 July 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Gourmet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gourmet. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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