sommelier

noun

som·​me·​lier ˌsə-məl-ˈyā How to pronounce sommelier (audio)
plural sommeliers ˌsə-məl-ˈyā(z) How to pronounce sommelier (audio)
: a waiter in a restaurant who has charge of wines and their service : a wine steward

Examples of sommelier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The only question would be whether Pop chooses the wine himself or gives way to the sommelier to suggest which French red goes best with the choice meats and fish being served. Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 If opting for the wine pairing, the sommelier James Renshaw has crafted a selection that includes labels from France, Spain, Morocco, South Africa, and Portugal. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2025 Read on for the tea about common wine mistakes to avoid, according to sommeliers, and what to do instead. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2024 Thankfully, the town and its environs are full of sommeliers and other wine authorities only too eager to share their recommendations for year-end revelry, holiday gifting, and serious collecting. Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sommelier 

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French soumelier official charged with transportation of supplies, from Old French, pack animal driver, probably alteration of *sommerier, from somier pack animal, from Medieval Latin saugmarius, from Late Latin sagma packsaddle — more at sumpter

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sommelier was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near sommelier

Cite this Entry

“Sommelier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sommelier. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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