English Reference
noun

cuisine

n.
US /kwɪˈzin/ UK /kwɪzˈiːn/ cui·sine UK spelling cuisines

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    a specific style of cooking that belongs to a country or culture.

    a characteristic manner or style of food preparation, typically associated with a specific geographic region or ethnic group.

    Simple

    Italian cuisine is famous all over the world for its pasta and pizza dishes.

    In context

    The chef specialises in fusion cuisine, blending traditional Japanese techniques with locally sourced ingredients from the Mediterranean coast.

    cookinggastronomyfare
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    expensive or very high-quality food served in a restaurant.

    the food prepared in a specific style, often implying a high standard of culinary art or 'haute cuisine'.

    Simple

    The hotel is known for its excellent cuisine and beautiful views of the sea.

    In context

    Critics praised the restaurant for its innovative cuisine, noting that every course was a masterpiece of balance and texture.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency ArchaicFormal

    a room or department where cooking is done.

    a kitchen or cooking department within a large household or institution.

    Simple

    The servants hurried between the dining hall and the cuisine to fetch more wine.

    In context

    The architectural plans for the manor house situated the cuisine in the basement to ensure that cooking smells did not reach the guest quarters.

    Usage

    Rarely used in modern English except in historical contexts or when referring to the physical layout of grand estates.

Proteins from flatfishes such as tonguefish (Soleidae), still important in Kansai and Seto Inland Sea cuisine today, were also found.

Phys.org· 25 Aug 2026

Koo might be adrift in the world, but keeps his home with him via his national cuisine .

The Guardian· 23 Aug 2026

Borrowed from French cuisine (“cooking, culinary art, kitchen”), from Late Latin cocīna, from earlier coquīna (“kitchen”). Doublet of kitchen.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin la-lat cocīna
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated