gourmand: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “gourmand” mean?
A person who enjoys eating and often eats too much.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who enjoys eating and often eats too much.
A person who takes great pleasure in fine food and drink, sometimes implying a degree of overindulgence; a connoisseur of good food who may lack the restraint of a gourmet.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The distinction between 'gourmand' and 'gourmet' is more carefully observed in British English. In American English, the terms are sometimes used more interchangeably.
Connotations
In UK English, 'gourmand' more clearly implies enjoyment of large quantities, whereas 'gourmet' implies refined taste. In US English, 'gourmand' can sound more sophisticated and less judgmental.
Frequency
More common in written texts (reviews, literature) than in everyday speech in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “gourmand” in a Sentence
gourmand of [cuisine]gourmand for [specific food]gourmand with a taste forVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in hospitality/tourism marketing (e.g., 'catering to the discerning gourmand').
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or sociological studies of food and consumption.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation; 'foodie' is more frequent.
Technical
Used in culinary arts and food criticism to denote a specific type of enthusiast.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gourmand”
- Confusing it with 'gourmet' (refined taste vs. hearty appetite).
- Mispronouncing the final 'd' (it is pronounced).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A gourmet is a connoisseur of fine food and drink, emphasizing refined taste and quality. A gourmand also enjoys good food but places a stronger emphasis on hearty enjoyment and may indulge in larger quantities.
It can be, depending on context. Historically, it implied gluttony. Today, it is often used positively or humorously to describe someone with a passionate and enthusiastic love for eating well, though the connotation of excess remains.
Very rarely in modern English. The adjectival form 'gourmand' is archaic. The related term 'gourmandizing' is used as an adjective (e.g., 'gourmandizing habits').
They are closely related. 'Foodie' is a more modern, informal, and neutral term for someone interested in food. 'Gourmand' is more formal and carries a stronger sense of someone who eats with great relish, potentially in large amounts.
A person who enjoys eating and often eats too much.
Gourmand is usually formal/literary in register.
Gourmand: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʊəmɑ̃/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡʊrˈmɑːnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He has the appetite of a gourmand.”
- “A gourmand's paradise.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Gourmand sounds like 'gorge-mound' – imagine someone making a mound of food disappear.
Conceptual Metaphor
APPETITE IS A BEAST (a gourmand unleashes their inner beast at the table).
Practice
Quiz
Which word implies a greater enjoyment of large quantities of food?