English Explanatory Dictionary

smorgasbord

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A Swedish-style buffet comprising a variety of cold sandwiches and other dishes; (by extension) any buffet with a wide selection of dishes.
  2. An abundant and diverse collection of things.

Pronunciation

/ˈsmɔːɡæs(ˌ)bɔːd/ /ˈsmɔːɡəs(ˌ)bɔːd/ /ˈsmɜːɡəs(ˌ)bɔːd/ /ˈsmɜːɡəʊs(ˌ)bʊəd/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-AcpoKrane-smorgsabord.wav /ˈsmɔɹɡəsˌbɔɹd/ /ˈʃmɔɹ-/

Word forms

smorgasbord smorgasbords smörgåsbord

Etymology

Borrowed from Swedish smörgåsbord (“buffet with many small dishes; smorgasbord”), from smörgås (“sandwich”) + bord (“table”). Smörgås is from Swedish smör (“butter”) + gås (“goose”), a reference to pieces of butter which float to the surface of milk when churned.

Synonyms

assortment hodgepodge medley miscellany Whitman's sampler bouillabaisse bric-a-brac catch-all clamjamfrey cocktail rummage anthology gallery congeries crazyquilt disjecta membra farrago galimatias gallimaufry grab bag horse and rabbit stew hotchpotch hotchpot job lot jumble macedoine melange mingle-mangle miscellanea mishmash mixed bag mixture motley odds and ends oddments olio olla podrida omnium-gatherum pastiche patchwork quilt potpourri ragbag salmagundi slurry smorgasbord welter

Related words

A charcuterie is for snacking a smorgasbord is a full hearty meal
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