cuisine
B1Formal to neutral; common in food writing, travel, and general discussion.
Definition
Meaning
The style or method of cooking characteristic of a particular country, region, or establishment.
The art and practice of preparing food; high-quality cooking in general.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a specific cultural or geographical identity (e.g., French cuisine). Can refer to both everyday cooking and elaborate gastronomy. The meaning shifts subtly based on whether it's modified (e.g., 'Italian cuisine' vs. 'excellent cuisine').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in meaning or usage. Both use 'cuisine' identically.
Connotations
Slightly more formal or sophisticated than 'food' or 'cooking'. In both varieties, 'cuisine' often elevates the topic.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[adjective] + cuisine[nationality/region] + cuisinecuisine + of + [place]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Haute cuisine (elaborate, high-class cooking)”
- “Fusion cuisine (blending of culinary traditions)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in hospitality, tourism, and food industry marketing (e.g., 'Our hotel is renowned for its Mediterranean cuisine.').
Academic
Used in cultural studies, anthropology, and gastronomy papers (e.g., 'The study examines the impact of migration on regional cuisine.').
Everyday
Common in travel discussions and restaurant reviews (e.g., 'We tried the local cuisine.').
Technical
Used specifically in culinary arts and food criticism, often with precise adjectives.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (No standard verb form. Not used.)
American English
- (No standard verb form. Not used.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form.)
American English
- (No standard adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective form. Use 'culinary'.)
American English
- (No standard adjective form. Use 'culinary'.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like Italian cuisine, especially pizza and pasta.
- The hotel serves international cuisine.
- We wanted to try the local cuisine during our holiday in Thailand.
- French cuisine is famous for its sauces and pastries.
- The restaurant's innovative cuisine blends Asian and European flavours.
- The region's cuisine has been influenced by centuries of trade.
- Her research deconstructs the socio-political narratives embedded within modern Nordic cuisine.
- The chef's avant-garde cuisine challenges conventional notions of texture and flavour pairing.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Queasy in' a bad restaurant, but 'cuisine' in a good one. The word sounds like 'queen' of food.
Conceptual Metaphor
CUISINE IS A CULTURAL ARTEFACT / CUISINE IS A STYLE (like music or fashion).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как 'кухня' в смысле помещения (room). В английском 'kitchen' - это помещение, а 'cuisine' - это искусство или стиль готовки.
- Избегайте кальки 'kitchen art'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cuisine' as a countable noun for a single dish (e.g., 'This pasta is a delicious cuisine' - incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'quisine' or 'cusine'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'cuisine' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally uncountable. You do not say 'cuisines' to mean multiple dishes. However, it can be pluralized when referring to multiple distinct styles (e.g., 'the cuisines of Southeast Asia').
'Food' is the general, everyday term for what we eat. 'Cuisine' refers specifically to a characteristic style or art of cooking, often tied to a culture or place, and sounds more formal or sophisticated.
It would sound unnatural or pretentious (e.g., 'My home cuisine is simple'). Use 'my cooking' or 'what I make' instead. 'Cuisine' typically describes collective, established styles.
It is a French borrowing. The common English pronunciation is /ˌəʊt kwɪˈziːn/ (oht kwi-zeen), though some may use a more French-sounding /ˌəʊt kɥi.zin/.
Collections
Part of a collection
Food and Cooking
A2 · 50 words · Cooking methods, kitchen tools and recipes.
Travel and Culture
B1 · 48 words · Cultural experiences and traveling the world.