catering
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈkeɪtərɪŋ/
KK: /ˈkeɪtərɪŋ/
noun
Definition
The business of providing food and services for events, such as parties or meetings.
Example
The catering for the wedding was handled by a well-known local company.
Conversation
I heard you started a new job in catering this week.
Yeah, it's been really interesting so far!
What kind of events do you handle with the catering?
Mostly weddings and corporate parties, but it varies a lot.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
provision
service
supply
Antonyms
deprivation
lack
shortage
verb
Definition
To provide food and drinks for an event or gathering.
Example
The company is catering the wedding reception this weekend.
Tense Forms
Past: catered
Past Participle: catered
Conversation
Are you busy this weekend?
Not really, why do you ask?
I heard they're catering the event at the park, and I thought we could check it out.
Root Explanation
Catering → It is derived from the word 'cater' (from Middle English *cateren*, meaning to provide or supply) and the suffix '-ing' (indicating the action or process of). The word 'catering' refers to the action of providing food and services for events or gatherings.
Memory Tip
Think of 'cater' as providing or supplying food, and the '-ing' shows it's the action of doing that. So, catering means the act of providing food for events.
Visually Confused Words
scattering
chattering
watering
capering
scatterling
waitering
gathering
gartering