as in gourmet
a person with refined tastes in food and wine Thomas Jefferson was one of America's first great epicures

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun epicure contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of epicure are gastronome, gourmand, and gourmet. While all these words mean "one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking," epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste.

When would gastronome be a good substitute for epicure?

While in some cases nearly identical to epicure, gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.

When is gourmand a more appropriate choice than epicure?

The synonyms gourmand and epicure are sometimes interchangeable, but gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's.

When could gourmet be used to replace epicure?

The words gourmet and epicure can be used in similar contexts, but gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them.

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of epicure Ever since, keen epicures had been ardently awaiting his next move. Sarah Khan, Bon Appétit, 18 Mar. 2025 Biggest Fear: Pain of their own insecurity, uncertainty. Type 7: The Enthusiast/Epicure The enthusiast/epicure looks to explore all the wonders of life and are always on the hunt for new experiences and adventures. Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024 Simic’s work is often described as surreal, darkly humorous, minimalist, the work of an impassioned epicure. Rowan Ricardo Phillips, The New Republic, 13 Jan. 2023 The flaneur was a familiar figure in nineteenth-century Paris: a solitary, quasi-artistic man (though not always) who strolled the streets like an urban epicure. Julian Barnes, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2022 An epicure is particular about his pleasures; a snob is particular about everyone else’s pleasures, forever lecturing others about their tastes in music, clothes, restaurants, and their general modes of life. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 10 Mar. 2022 Visitors to downtown Napa can further embrace their inner epicure at the Oxbow Public Market, a food hall included by Times travel writer Christopher Reynolds on his list of the 40 best autumn experiences in California. Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2022 The Portland, Maine, seafood epicure offers a wide assortment of caviars from around the world and outstanding collections like this Royal Osetra Tasting. Megan Murphy, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2021 Picture a plateful of flounder leaping off the dish and chomping the epicure’s nose. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Nov. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epicure
Noun
  • Families, couples, college students, gastronomes ranging from Michelin stargazers to Chili’s Triple Dipper devotees, kids and a welcoming array of dogs (Chapman Crafted Beer is a canine-friendly space) gathered for the weekend celebration of burgers.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
  • But now this metropolis of some 2 million people has more and more options for later in the day, ranging from an intimate dining counter where a local chef nerds out about indigenous ingredients to a sleek izakaya bar where the city’s scene-seeking gastronomes gather for spicy tuna hand rolls.
    Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This fall Robb Report is gathering some of the greatest chefs in America to descend upon Nashville for the annual epicurean festival that is Culinary Masters.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
  • There’s always something delicious to sample at The Epicurean Trader.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • Citruses like orange, gourmands like vanilla, and green florals like magnolia and lily of the valley can go strong for up to 30 hours, in some cases increasing the concentration of the fragrance ingredient by 300%.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • An award-winning chef, John Fraser holds the mantle at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens at The Times Square EDITION, an ideal outpost for the gourmand who thrives in the pulse of it all.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Epicure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epicure. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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