buffet

1 of 4

noun (1)

buf·​fet ˈbə-fət 

1

: a blow especially with the hand

2

: something that strikes with telling force

buffet

2 of 4

verb

buf·​fet ˈbə-fət 

buffeted; buffeting; buffets

transitive verb

1

: to strike sharply especially with the hand : cuff

2

: to strike repeatedly : batter

The waves buffeted the shore.

3

: to drive, force, move, or attack by or as if by repeated blows

schools being buffeted by budget cuts

intransitive verb

: to make one's way especially under difficult conditions

buffet

3 of 4

noun (2)

buf·​fet (ˌ)bə-ˈfā  bü-ˈfā 

British especially ˈbü-ˌfā

plural buffets

1

furniture : sideboard sense 1

2

a

: a counter for refreshments

went back to the buffet for a second helping

b

chiefly British : a restaurant operated as a public convenience (as in a railway station)

c

: a meal set out on a buffet or table for ready access and informal service

a restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet

3

: an assortment of options or offerings : variety

Once you're up there among the clouds, you'll have a buffet of skiing options.

—Brad Wetzler

buffet

4 of 4

adjective

buf·​fet (ˌ)bə-ˈfā  bü-ˈfā 

British especially ˈbü-ˌfā

: served informally especially as a buffet (see buffet entry 3 sense 2c)

a buffet meal

buffet luncheons

Synonyms of buffet

Noun (1)

• swipe
• blow
• punch
• hit
• pound
• stroke
• thump
• knock
• thud
• slap
• whack
• poke
• lick
• slam
• bang
• smack
• beat
• spank
• clip

Verb

• lick
• pound
• hide
• lash
• attack
• assault
• whip
• batter
• club
• beat
• hit
• knock
• pelt
• do
• punch
• curry
• slam
• bat
• box
• punch out
• smash
• slate
• bash
• slap
• thump

Noun (2)

• cabinet
• cupboard
• closet
• locker
• sideboard
• dresser

Examples of buffet in a Sentence

Noun (1)

delivered a powerful buffet to the side of the prisoner's head

Verb

The strong winds buffeted the ship.

fierce winds buffeted the small sailboat

Noun (2)

a buffet completed the kitchen set

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sure, every offseason, rival executives pick apart San Francisco’s coaching staff like a buffet, desperate to steal the secret sauce. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 July 2026

The space features a 1960 Hans Wegner Ox chair from Galerie Half, a 1960s Charlotte Perriand stool from Gallery Roth, and a custom solid-bronze buffet. — Punch Hutton, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026

Verb

ServiceNow has been buffeted by fears of the ‘SaaSpocalypse,’ or that autonomous AI agents will undercut demand for enterprise software. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 July 2026

During Argentina’s semifinal victory, against England, Messi, who is still playing at the unearthly age of thirty-nine, spent the opening hour of the match being buffeted and bypassed by the action. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Adjective

Customers can expect to see non-buffet-style food options, and social distancing will likely require a reduction in the number of people allowed in the usually crowded lounges. — Julian Kheel, CNN Underscored, 1 June 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, diminutive of buffe blow

Verb

Middle English buffeten, verbal derivative of buffet buffet entry 1

Noun (2)

borrowed from French, going back to Old French, "stool, table, counter," of uncertain origin

Adjective

adjective derivative of buffet entry 3

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing buffet

• buffet car

Kids Definition

buffet

1 of 3 noun

buf·​fet ˈbəf-ət 

: a blow especially with the hand

buffet

2 of 3 verb

: to pound repeatedly : batter

buffet

3 of 3 noun

buf·​fet (ˌ)bə-ˈfā  bü-ˈfā 

ˈbü-ˌfā

1

: sideboard

2

: a meal set out on a sideboard, table, or countertop for guests to serve themselves

Etymology

Noun

Middle English buffet "a blow with the hand," derived from early French buffe "a blow"

Noun

French