sommelier

noun

som·​me·​lier ˌsə-məl-ˈyā How to pronounce sommelier (audio)
plural sommeliers ˌsə-məl-ˈyā(z) How to pronounce sommelier (audio)
Synonyms of sommelier
: a waiter in a restaurant who has charge of wines and their service : a wine steward

Examples of sommelier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The goal was to develop a standard way of evaluating cacao just like those sommelier's do with wine. — Rebecca Ramirez, NPR, 15 June 2026 This salon has a roster of 50 different tea blends from which to choose (and tea sommeliers to help out any newbies)—it's Shangri-la for tea snobs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026 Axel Wagner, the sommelier here at the time, was no exception. — Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026 Those qualities arrive at a time when many sommeliers and consumers are seeking versatile wines built for the table rather than simple fruit expression. — Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sommelier

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French soumelier official charged with transportation of supplies, from Old French, pack animal driver, probably alteration of *sommerier, from somier pack animal, from Medieval Latin saugmarius, from Late Latin sagma packsaddle — more at sumpter

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sommelier was in 1829

Browse Nearby Words

Somme
sommelier
somnambul-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sommelier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sommelier. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sommelier

Nglish: Translation of sommelier for Spanish Speakers

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