Buffet: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to refer to a meal where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes laid out on a table or serving area. Commonly found in hotels, parties, conferences, and weddings.

• The hotel offers a buffet breakfast every morning.
• We attended a wedding with a lavish buffet.

Describes a meal setup where individuals serve themselves. This term is broader and can apply to any meal where guests or diners take their own food, often used in more casual or institutional settings like cafeterias, community events, or family-style gatherings.

• The community center hosted a self-serve meal for the volunteers.
• At the office party, there was a self-serve meal with a variety of dishes.

Refers to a meal or restaurant policy where diners can consume as much food as they like for a fixed price. Often used for promoting casual dining experiences, especially in restaurants specializing in specific cuisines like sushi, pizza, or barbecue.

• We went to an all-you-can-eat sushi place for dinner.
• The new pizza place in town has an all-you-can-eat lunch special.

Buffet can also mean to strike repeatedly with considerable force. This use is more negative and is often used to describe the impact of natural forces like wind or waves.

• The boat was buffeted by the strong waves
• During the storm, the wind buffeted the windows continuously

A sideboard is a piece of furniture traditionally placed in a dining room for serving food and storing dishes, cutlery, and other dining essentials. It often has a surface to display items or place serving dishes during meals.

• The sideboard in the dining room has an antique look and is filled with fine china
• During the Thanksgiving dinner, the sideboard was lined with various sides and desserts

Credenza is used to describe a type of furniture often found in dining rooms or offices. It is typically used for storing dishes, serving dishes, or office supplies, and might have a flat top for additional workspace or display.

• She placed the family china in the credenza
• The office credenza was filled with important documents and supplies

In another context, 'buffet' refers to a self-service meal where people serve themselves from a variety of dishes. This usage is common in casual dining or event settings.

• We decided to have dinner at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
• The hotel provided a breakfast buffet for its guests.

Use 'strike' when talking about hitting something sharply and with intention. It’s versatile and can describe physical hits, impacts, or even metaphorical uses like ideas or emotions.

• The boxer struck his opponent with a quick jab.
• A brilliant idea struck her during the meeting.
• Lightning struck the old oak tree during the storm.

This word is appropriate when you are referring to hitting something strongly and repeatedly, often to break it or make a loud noise. It's commonly used in everyday language.

• He pounded the door with his fists, demanding to be let in.
• The construction workers were pounding metal beams into place all day.