# carte

/ˈkɑɹt/ (US) · /kˈɑːt/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carte
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a menu or a list of food you can choose from in a restaurant. It is most often seen in the French phrase 'à la carte'.

For teachers: a bill of fare or menu, typically listing dishes that are priced separately. Most frequently encountered in the prepositional phrase 'à la carte'.

## Examples

- We decided to order from the carte instead of the set menu.
- The restaurant offers a seasonal carte that changes every month to reflect the freshest local ingredients available.
- While the tasting menu provides a curated experience, many diners prefer the flexibility of the carte to tailor the meal to their specific dietary preferences.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used within the fixed phrase 'à la carte' to indicate that dishes are ordered and paid for individually.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.