family style

adverb or adjective

: with the food placed on the table in serving dishes from which those eating may help themselves

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Food is served family style. Chandra Fleming, Detroit Free Press, 9 Dec. 2022 Forget family style! Ana Connery, House Beautiful, 14 May 2021 Also on Scheffler's menu Tuesday night: tortilla soup with avocado and crispy blue tortilla strips, family style macaroni and cheese, jalapeno creamed corn, fried Brussels sprouts and seasoned fries. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2023 Last but not least, the California Italian menu is ideal for family style events, and combines Italian cuisine with coastal California ingredients (think Brussels Sprouts, Kale & Pomegranate Salad and Limoncello Mascarpone Cheesecake). Abigail Abesamis Demarest, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 Shop seasonal foods, family style meals and small-batch baked goods. Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 3 June 2022 Inspire Interaction To create an intimate environment when hosting larger dinners, Alhadeff likes to serve dishes family style. Liam Freeman Joyce Kim, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2023 All meals are served family style. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'family style.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of family style was in 1857

Dictionary Entries Near family style

Cite this Entry

“Family style.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20style. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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