Cuisine: Definition, Usage & Cultural Food Styles

Meaning 1：cooking style (cuisine)

cuisine 🔊

/kwɪˈziːn/

A particular style of cooking, especially from a specific country or region.

Cuisine definition illustrated by a table with Japanese sushi, Mexican tacos, and Italian pasta.

cooking style 🔊

➕

/ˈkʊkɪŋ staɪl/

Refers to a characteristic manner or style of preparing food, typically associated with a specific country, region, or culture.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From French 'cuisine' (kitchen, cooking), from Latin 'cocina', a variant of 'coquina' (kitchen).

💡 Mnemonic

Cuisine sounds like 'queen' - think of a queen enjoying fine dining from her royal kitchens.

📖 Example

When I visited Italy, I fell in love with the cuisine, especially the fresh pasta and pizza. 🔊 When I visited Italy, I fell in love with the cooking style, especially the fresh pasta and pizza.

🔗 Collocations

French cuisine – The style of cooking originating from France.

local cuisine – The traditional cooking style of a particular area.

fine dining cuisine – High-quality, sophisticated style of cooking and presentation.

🔄 Synonyms

cooking (n.) – The act of preparing food; can be more general than 'cuisine'.

gastronomy (n.) – The art and science of good eating; a more formal or scholarly term.

fare (n.) – Food provided or available, often in a specific context (e.g., simple fare).

🚫 Antonyms

fast food (n.) – Quick, mass-produced food, often contrasting with traditional, regional cuisine.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'cuisine' entered English from French in the 18th century, reflecting the high prestige of French culinary arts. It originally meant 'kitchen' but evolved to denote the characteristic style or art of cooking from a specific culture, emphasizing technique and tradition over just the food itself.