Definition of buffet
1
:a blow especially with the hand
2
:something that strikes with telling force
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Read the Latest from M-W
Origin and Etymology of buffet
Middle English, from Anglo-French, diminutive of buffe blow
Definition of buffet
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
Examples of buffet in a Sentence
The strong winds buffeted the ship.
fierce winds buffeted the small sailboat
Origin and Etymology of buffet
buffet Synonyms
Synonyms
bash, baste, bat, batter, belabor, belt, birch, bludgeon, beat, bung up, club, curry, do, drub, fib [British], flog, hammer, hide, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lash, lather, lick, maul, mess (up), paddle, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, punch out, rough (up), slate, slog, switch, tan, thrash, thresh, thump, tromp, wallop, whale, whip, whop (or whap), whup, work overRelated Words
assail, assault, attack, beset, box, bust, chop, clobber, clout, crack, cudgel, cuff, descend (on or upon), hit, jump (on), knock, lam, lay on, paste, pounce (on or upon), punch, raid, rush, slam, slap, smack, smash, sock, spank, storm, swat, swipe, thwack, whack, wham, whomp; blackjack, cane, cowhide, flagellate, fustigate, horsewhip, leather, pistol-whip, rawhide, scourge, strap; gore, lacerate, wound; maim, mangle, mutilateDefinition of buffet
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
Origin and Etymology of buffet
borrowed from French, going back to Old French, "stool, table, counter," of uncertain origin
Origin and Etymology of buffet
BUFFET Defined for English Language Learners
buffet
verb
Definition of buffet for English Language Learners
-
: to hit (something) with great force many times
BUFFET Defined for Kids
Learn More about buffet
-
See words that rhyme with buffet Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for buffet Spanish Central: Translation of buffet Nglish: Translation of buffet for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of buffet for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buffet
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up buffet? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!