buffet

Everyday

1. A buffet (said «BUFF-ay» or «boo-FAY») is a meal where food is set out on a table and people serve themselves. tree →
2. A buffet is a café or carriage on a train or at a station where you can buy food. tree →
3. To buffet (said «BUFF-it») is to hit or push something again and again, like strong wind or waves. tree →
4. (old) A buffet is a side cabinet for dishes. tree →

In the lessons

Parties, weddings and hotels often have a buffet; «all-you-can-eat buffet» means you pay once and eat as much as you like. In stories and weather reports, boats and people are buffeted by wind and waves. Phrases: «buffet lunch», «buffet car», «buffeted by the wind».

Examples

• At the party there was a buffet with sandwiches and cake. tree →
• We helped ourselves from the buffet. tree →
• The hotel serves a breakfast buffet. tree →
• Dad bought tea from the buffet car on the train. tree →
• The little boat was buffeted by the waves. tree →
• Strong winds buffeted the tent all night. tree →
• It was an all-you-can-eat buffet, so my brother had four plates. tree →
• The infuriated pirates buffeted them in the mouth; and Hook roared out, “That seals your doom. tree →

Note

Two pronunciations, two meanings: food = «BUFF-ay» (the t is silent), hitting = «BUFF-it». Verb forms: buffeted, buffeting (single t). Polite buffet manners: take a fair share, use the serving spoons, don't touch food you won't take.