Definition

A person in a restaurant who is responsible for selecting and serving wines, and who knows a lot about different types of wine and how they go with food.

Example

The sommelier recommended a perfect wine to pair with our dinner.

Conversation

Have you ever met a sommelier before?

No, I haven't! What do they do?

They’re wine experts who help you choose the best pairing for your meal.

That sounds cool! I’d love to learn more about wine.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sommelier is derived from the Old French word *sommelier*, which means a wine steward or a person responsible for serving wine. The term itself comes from *somme* (meaning a load or burden) and the suffix *-ier*, which denotes a person associated with a particular role or occupation. Thus, a sommelier is a person who carries the responsibility of managing and serving wine.

Memory Tip

Think of a sommelier as someone who 'carries' ('somme') the 'burden' of selecting and serving wine, which is their specialized role.

Visually Confused Words