patisserie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal / culinary
Quick answer
What does “patisserie” mean?
a shop where French pastries and cakes are sold.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a shop where French pastries and cakes are sold; the art of making such pastries.
Can also refer to the French-style cakes and pastries themselves as a collective term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used and understood in British English. In American English, the broader term 'bakery' or the French 'pâtisserie' might be used for specificity.
Connotations
Connotes sophistication, artisanal skill, and luxury in both varieties, but its use in the UK is slightly more integrated into everyday vocabulary for such shops.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in UK; low frequency in US outside culinary/foodie contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “patisserie” in a Sentence
She works at a patisserie.We bought a selection from the patisserie.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “patisserie” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She took a patisserie course in Paris.
- The patisserie display was stunning.
American English
- He admired her patisserie skills.
- It had a distinct patisserie quality.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of the food retail sector, e.g., 'The chain expanded its patisserie offerings.'
Academic
Rare, except in culinary history or cultural studies texts discussing French influence.
Everyday
Used when discussing buying cakes, pastries, or a special treat, e.g., 'Let's get a cake from the patisserie for the party.'
Technical
Used precisely in professional culinary and hospitality training to denote a specific department or skill set.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “patisserie”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “patisserie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “patisserie”
- Misspelling: 'patissary', 'patiserie'. Correct: patisserie.
- Mispronunciation: Pronouncing the final 'e' as a separate syllable (e.g., /pəˈtɪs.ər.i.eɪ/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. British pronunciation typically stresses the second syllable (/pəˈtɪs.ər.i/), while American pronunciation often has a longer 'ee' sound and different stress (/pɑːˈtiː.sə.ri/).
A bakery is a general term for a place that bakes and sells bread, cakes, etc. A patisserie is specifically a shop selling French-style pastries and cakes, often more intricate and decorative.
No. 'Patisserie' is considered a fully naturalized loanword in English (particularly British English) and is not italicized or given accents in standard usage.
Yes, it can be used as a collective noun for the pastries, e.g., 'We enjoyed a wonderful selection of patisserie with our coffee.'
a shop where French pastries and cakes are sold.
Patisserie is usually formal / culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A trip to the patisserie.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PAT' a cake and 'ISSERIE' sounds like 'mystery' – the art of patisserie can seem like a delicious mystery.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATISSERIE IS A TREASURE HOUSE (of delicate, valuable edible art).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'patisserie' MOST appropriately used?