family style

adverb or adjective

: with the food placed on the table in serving dishes from which those eating may help themselves

Examples of family style in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Also known as Frogmore stew in the Beaufort, South Carolina, area, the Lowcountry boil is typically served outdoors; simply boil and spread the feast out on newspaper at the picnic table so everyone can dig in family style. Food Drink Life, The Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2024 The ‘Summer Smoke’ event at Rodney Strong winery, which included a family style dinner, was held outdoors on the vast green lawn overlooking their vineyards in Sonoma County. Liz Thach, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024 Dinner was served family style as the couple’s bridesmaids and groomsmen made speeches. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2024 Food is served family style rather than a formal sit-down. Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for family style 

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of family style was in 1857

Dictionary Entries Near family style

Cite this Entry

“Family style.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20style. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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