Cutlery Meaning and Definition
Cutlery
Pronunciation
/kʊtˈlɛri/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
Tableware, with a focus on cookware and eating utensils, specifically knives, forks, spoons, and other kitchen tools for preparing and serving food.
Examples
- The chef carefully cleaned the cutlery before dinner service.
- Cutlery sets are a standard feature in many kitchens.
Synonyms
- Tableware
- Cookware
- Utensils
Antonyms
- Spill
- Discard
Etymology
The word “cutlery” comes from the Old French “coutelier”, meaning “butcher”, and is derived from the Latin “cutellus”, meaning “little knife”.
Usage Notes
Cutlery is often used in formal or professional settings, such as restaurants, hotels, or catering services, to describe the tableware and kitchen tools used for serving and preparing food.
Cultural References
Cutlery has appeared in various forms of media, such as in the classic sitcom “The Golden Girls” or in the popular video game “The Sims”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Cutlery drawer” – a reference to a household’s utensils and dishes stored in a single drawer or cabinet.
Related Words or Phrases
- Kitchenware
- Household
- Utensil
Collocations
- Set of cutlery
- Cutlery collection
- Cookware and cutlery
Frequency of Use
Cutlery is a commonly used term in everyday language, particularly in professional settings, such as restaurants, hotels, or catering services.
Common Misspellings
- Cutterly
- Culet
- Cuttler