delicatessen

/ˈdɛlɪkəˌtɛsn/

/dɛlɪkəˈtɛsɪn/

Other forms: delicatessens

A delicatessen is a small market where you can buy prepared food, sandwiches, sliced meat and cheese, and other food items. Your morning routine might include a stop at the delicatessen for a toasted bagel.

A delicatessen is a specialty food shop that often specializes in traditionally Jewish, Italian, or German foods. While you can stock up on bread, milk, and other staples at many delicatessens, they're best known for unusual ethnic foods and prepared sandwiches and salads. The word delicatessen comes from the German delikatessen, which is plural for delikatesse, "delicacy" or "fine food."

Definitions of delicatessen

1. noun

   a shop selling ready-to-eat food products
   synonyms: deli, food shop

   types:

   charcuterie

   a delicatessen that specializes in meats

   type of:

   shop, store

   a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
2. noun

   ready-to-eat food products
   synonyms: delicatessen food

   type of:

   convenience food

   any packaged dish or food that can be prepared quickly and easily as by thawing or heating