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

This three-story teahouse is sure to be the star of your next tea party and will sit pretty in the meantime over your bar cart or buffet table for a charming statement piece. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026

This rustic buffet cabinet from The Pioneer Woman’s Walmart collection emulates this traditional furniture piece with a few modernized updates. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026

Verb

Even with multiple issues buffeting the company, investors are betting that Tesla CEO Musk can deliver on his ambitions to make Tesla a leader in robotaxi services and get consumers to embrace humanoid robots that can perform basic tasks in homes and offices. —Paul Harloff, Fortune, 3 Jan. 2026

And lately, economic forces have begun to buffet the effort as well, including the slowing real estate market. —Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 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