# deli

/ˈdɛɫi/ (US) · /dˈɛli/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a shop

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a shop that sells cooked meats, cheeses, and special prepared foods.

For teachers: a retail establishment, often a counter within a larger store, specialising in high-quality prepared foods, imported cheeses, and cold meats.

- I stopped at the local deli to pick up some fresh potato salad for the picnic.
- The corner deli is renowned for its selection of imported olives and artisanal cheeses that you cannot find in the major supermarkets.

Usage: Commonly used as a countable noun; 'delicatessen' is the full, formal version.

### 2. the food itself

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

the types of food, like sliced meats and salads, that you buy at a deli.

For teachers: food items typically sold at a delicatessen, such as cold cuts, prepared salads, and specialty preserves.

- We had some deli meats and rye bread for a quick lunch.
- The catering platter was piled high with various deli meats, including smoked turkey, roast beef, and spicy salami.

Usage: Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'deli meat' or 'deli counter'.

## Examples

- I bought some fresh ham and cheese at the local deli.
- We stopped at the deli on the corner to pick up some sandwiches and olives for our picnic.
- The neighborhood deli has survived for decades by offering a curated selection of imported meats that cannot be found in larger supermarket chains.

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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.