sommelier

noun

som·​me·​lier ˌsə-məl-ˈyā 

plural sommeliers ˌsə-məl-ˈyā(z) 

: a waiter in a restaurant who has charge of wines and their service : a wine steward

Examples of sommelier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This album reunites the Stones for a reminder that there’s no adversity that can’t be overcome if these former drug sommeliers are not only still vertical but formidable. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 10 July 2026

This intimate dinner party–style venue is where sommeliers show off the ship’s cellar, at prices that can reach four figures. — Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Those qualities arrive at a time when many sommeliers and consumers are seeking versatile wines built for the table rather than simple fruit expression. — Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

This salon has a roster of 50 different tea blends from which to choose (and tea sommeliers to help out any newbies)—it's Shangri-la for tea snobs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French soumelier official charged with transportation of supplies, from Old French, pack animal driver, probably alteration of *sommerier, from somier pack animal, from Medieval Latin saugmarius, from Late Latin sagma packsaddle — more at sumpter

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Video

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