prix fixe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “prix fixe” mean?
A restaurant meal offered at a fixed total price, usually comprising several courses.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A restaurant meal offered at a fixed total price, usually comprising several courses.
A pricing model where a set of items (courses in a meal, a selection of services) is offered for a single, predetermined price, as opposed to à la carte. Can be used metaphorically to describe any non-negotiable, bundled package.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally understood in culinary contexts in both varieties, though perhaps slightly more prevalent in American upscale dining terminology. The spelling 'prix fixe' is standard in both.
Connotations
Connotes sophistication, formal dining, and often (but not always) expense. In the UK, might be associated more strongly with French restaurants specifically.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, but standard in restaurant reviews, culinary writing, and fine dining contexts globally.
Grammar
How to Use “prix fixe” in a Sentence
[Restaurant] offers/features/has a prix fixe (of [amount]).We opted for/went with/chose the prix fixe.Dinner is served prix fixe.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prix fixe” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The prix-fixe option included a glass of wine.
- They have a wonderful prix fixe menu for Valentine's Day.
American English
- The prix fixe dinner was spectacular.
- We booked the prix-fixe tasting experience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could metaphorically describe a bundled service package.
Academic
Virtually never used outside historical or cultural studies of gastronomy.
Everyday
Used only when discussing dining options, typically at nicer restaurants.
Technical
Standard term in the culinary/hospitality industry and restaurant criticism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prix fixe”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prix fixe”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prix fixe”
- Pronouncing 'prix' as /prɪks/ (like 'pricks').
- Writing as 'pre-fixe' or 'pree fix'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They prix fixe the dinner').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It's a French borrowing. 'Prix' is pronounced /priː/ (like 'pree'), and 'fixe' is pronounced /fiːks/ (like 'feeks').
They are very close synonyms. 'Prix fixe' is more common in modern English, focusing on the fixed price. 'Table d'hôte' is slightly older and emphasizes the 'host's table' or a shared menu.
Yes, metaphorically. You might describe a fixed package of services (e.g., a spa day, a conference pass) as a 'prix fixe' to convey it's a bundled, set-price offering.
It is now a fully naturalized term in English culinary writing and does not require italics or diacritical marks, though the acute accent on 'prix' (prix) is sometimes retained in very formal publishing.
A restaurant meal offered at a fixed total price, usually comprising several courses.
Prix fixe is usually formal/culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life isn't a prix fixe menu.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FIXed PRIce eXperience' -> prix fixe.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BUNDLED EXPERIENCE IS A FIXED-PRICE MENU. (e.g., 'The conference offered a prix fixe of lectures and workshops.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a 'prix fixe' offering?