commis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical (Culinary/Hospitality)
Quick answer
What does “commis” mean?
A junior or trainee chef or waiter in a professional kitchen or restaurant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A junior or trainee chef or waiter in a professional kitchen or restaurant.
A low-ranking position in a professional kitchen, responsible for specific preparatory tasks or sections, working under a chef de partie or sous chef. Can also refer to an apprentice or assistant in other trade contexts, but this is rare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both culinary contexts. No significant usage difference.
Connotations
Conveys formal training and the traditional French brigade de cuisine system. Slightly more prestigious than 'kitchen assistant'.
Frequency
Equally low in general language but standard within professional culinary circles in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “commis” in a Sentence
[commis] + [to/in/under] + [chef/restaurant/kitchen][work/serve/start] + [as] + [a commis]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in job titles and descriptions within the hospitality sector.
Academic
Rare; might appear in hospitality or culinary management texts.
Everyday
Very rare. Unfamiliar to most people outside the industry.
Technical
Standard term in professional culinary arts and restaurant kitchen hierarchies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “commis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “commis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commis”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈkɒmɪs/ (like 'promise').
- Using it as a general term for any assistant.
- Spelling as 'comiss' or 'commiss'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency term used almost exclusively within the professional culinary and hospitality industry.
A commis is an entry-level apprentice, while a sous chef ('under chef') is the second-in-command, directly below the head chef.
In British English, it is typically pronounced /ˈkɒmi/ (KOM-ee). In American English, it is often /kɑˈmiː/ (kah-MEE) or /ˈkɑːmi/ (KAH-mee).
Very rarely. Its primary and almost exclusive meaning is within the kitchen hierarchy. Historical or other trade uses are obsolete.
A junior or trainee chef or waiter in a professional kitchen or restaurant.
Commis is usually formal, technical (culinary/hospitality) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMMIs are COMMon in kitchens, but they're just starting out. They COMMIt to learning the trade.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY IS A LADDER (The commis is on the bottom rung of the kitchen ladder).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'commis' most accurately used?