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gastronomy

/ɡæsˈtrɒn.ə.mi/
IELTSAcademic
noun

The study of good food and how it is cooked and eaten. It can also mean the art or practice of fine cooking.

  • She studied gastronomy at university.
  • The festival celebrates French gastronomy.
  • Gastronomy includes both cooking and food culture.

Adinary Nuance

Gastronomy is more formal than everyday words like cooking or food. It often suggests high-quality food, food culture, or careful study, not just making a meal. Writers use it when they want to sound refined, professional, or academic.

In other languages

Vietnamese
ẩm thực học
Spanish
gastronomía
Chinese
美食学
Japanese
美食学
Korean
미식학

Etymology

Gastronomy comes from French gastronomie, based on Greek gaster, meaning “stomach,” and nomos, meaning “rule” or “law.” The word entered English in the early 1800s.

Common phrases

molecular gastronomythe gastronomy of a regiongastronomy tourism

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is gastronomy a formal word?
Yes. It is more formal than cooking and is common in writing, tourism, and food studies.
What is the difference between gastronomy and cuisine?
Cuisine means a style of cooking, like Indian cuisine. Gastronomy is broader; it includes food study, culture, and fine eating.
Can I use gastronomy in everyday speech?
Yes, but it may sound a little formal. People use it more in articles, menus, and academic talk.
Is gastronomy used in IELTS Writing?
Yes. It can fit topics about culture, tourism, and food industries.