buffet
B1Neutral to formal for noun (meal), literary for verb (strike).
Definition
Meaning
A meal where a variety of dishes are set out for people to serve themselves.
A counter or table where such food is served; also a verb meaning to strike or push repeatedly, as if by waves or wind; a piece of furniture for storing dishes and linens (buffet cabinet).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun (meal) is pronounced with a silent 't' and stress on the first syllable. The verb (to strike) is pronounced with a 't' sound and stress on the second syllable. These are homographs with different pronunciations and meanings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun for the meal is used identically. The verb 'to buffet' (strike) is more common in literary/formal contexts in both. The furniture sense is standard in both, though less common.
Connotations
In the UK, 'buffet' (meal) can sometimes imply a more casual, self-service spread. In the US, it's strongly associated with all-you-can-eat commercial restaurants (e.g., 'Chinese buffet').
Frequency
The noun (meal) is high-frequency in both. The verb (strike) is low-frequency and literary in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The storm buffeted the coast (verb + object)We were buffeted by the crowd (passive)They served a buffet (verb + object)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A buffet of options”
- “Buffeted by fate/misfortune”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The conference includes a working lunch buffet.
Academic
The country was buffeted by successive economic crises.
Everyday
Let's just do a buffet for the party—it's easier.
Technical
(Meteorology) The aircraft was buffeted by severe turbulence.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The small boat was buffeted by the rough seas.
- Gale-force winds buffeted the coastline all night.
American English
- The company was buffeted by a series of lawsuits.
- Hailstones buffeted the roof of the car.
adverb
British English
- The food was served buffet-style.
American English
- We ate buffet-style to save time.
adjective
British English
- Buffet catering is often the most practical solution.
- They opted for a buffet supper.
American English
- The buffet line was very long.
- Is it a buffet or a plated dinner?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The hotel breakfast buffet has fruit and cereal.
- We ate at a pizza buffet.
- The wedding reception featured a large buffet with international dishes.
- Strong winds buffeted the house during the storm.
- The company's profits have been buffeted by fluctuations in the currency market.
- A cold buffet will be available for guests arriving later.
- The policy was buffeted by criticism from all sides of the political spectrum.
- The seminar concluded with a networking buffet, facilitating informal discussion among delegates.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BUFFet: a BUFFet table has lots of food that can make you BUFF (strong) if you eat too much. For the verb, think of a BUFFeting wind that feels like it's slapping you.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A BUFFET (many choices); ADVERSITY IS A STORM THAT BUFFETS (attacks repeatedly).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'буфет' (a sideboard/cupboard or a small snack bar/cafeteria). The English 'buffet' (meal) is closer to 'шведский стол'. The verb 'to buffet' is not related to the Russian word at all.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing the 't' in 'buffet' (meal).
- Using 'buffet' (meal) as a verb, e.g., 'We will buffet at noon' (incorrect).
- Confusing 'buffet' with 'buffer'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'buffet' pronounced with the stress on the second syllable?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in the noun meaning 'a self-service meal', the 't' is silent in standard pronunciations. It is pronounced 'boo-fay' or 'buh-fay'.
They are often used interchangeably. 'Smorgasbord' is originally Swedish and can imply a specific Scandinavian style, while 'buffet' is the generic English term. 'Buffet' is far more common.
No. The verb 'to buffet' means to strike or hit repeatedly. You cannot say 'We buffeted at the restaurant'. The correct phrase is 'We ate at the buffet' or 'We had the buffet'.
They have different etymologies. The noun (meal) comes from French 'buffet' (sideboard). The verb (to strike) comes from Old French 'buffeter' (to slap). They entered English at different times and evolved separately, becoming homographs.