gourmand

noun

gour·​mand ˈgu̇r-ˌmänd 

-mənd,

ˌgu̇r-ˈmänd 

1

: one who is excessively fond of eating and drinking

2

: one who is heartily interested in good food and drink

gourmandism

ˈgu̇r-ˌmän-ˌdi-zəm 

-mən-

noun

gourmandize

ˈgu̇r-ˌmän-ˌdīz 

-mən-

intransitive verb

Did you know?

"What God has plagu'd us with this gourmaund guest?" As this exasperated question from Alexander Pope's 18th-century translation of Homer's Odyssey suggests, being a gourmand is not always a good thing. When gourmand began appearing in English texts in the 15th century, it was a decidedly bad thing, a synonym of glutton that was reserved for a greedy eater who consumed well past satiation. That negative connotation mostly remained until English speakers borrowed the similar-sounding (and much more positive) gourmet from French in the 19th century. Since then, the meaning of gourmand has softened so that although it still isn't wholly flattering, it now suggests someone who likes good food in large quantities rather than a slobbering glutton.

Synonyms

• bon vivant
• epicure
• epicurean
• gastronome
• gastronomist
• gourmet

Choose the Right Synonym for gourmand

epicure, gourmet, gourmand, gastronome mean one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking.

epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste.

gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them.

gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's.

gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.

Examples of gourmand in a Sentence

a finicky gourmand who vacationed in Europe every year simply for the wine

the kind of gourmand who swallows food without even pausing to taste it

Recent Examples on the Web

The festival is positioning it as an ideal holiday gift for the gourmands in your life. —Brad Japhe, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Creamy sandalwood sweeps in, wrapping everything in a subtle earthiness that balances the playful gourmand notes. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 6 Dec. 2024

This transportive scent is lush and sensual, leading off with gourmand cherry and rum notes, before setting into a warm cacao, myrrh, and balsam base. —Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 5 Dec. 2024

The fragrance is almost a gourmand; its like opening a delectable peach aroma drizzled with honey then dusted with cinnamon. —Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gourmaunt, from Middle French gourmant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gourmand

noun

gour·​mand ˈgu̇(ə)r-ˌmänd 

1

: glutton sense 1

2

: gourmet

gourmandism

ˈgu̇(ə)r-ˌmän-ˌdiz-əm 

-mən-

noun