What does smorgasbord mean?
A smorgasbord is originally a Scandinavian meal in which a wide selection of foods is arranged for guests to serve themselves. It has become a familiar English word for any buffet presenting many kinds of dishes, especially cold foods, breads, cheeses, fish, and meats. The word also has a strongly established figurative meaning: a “smorgasbord of options” is a large assortment of choices, ideas, or possibilities. This figurative use often suggests not merely abundance but variety, including choices that may differ considerably in quality or appeal. Although the expression can evoke Scandinavian hospitality and generous communal dining, it is now used broadly in North American and international English. It is most appropriate when the emphasis is on plentiful variety rather than on a single dish.
nounA buffet featuring a wide variety of foods, typically served buffet-style so that guests can choose and serve themselves. By extension, it refers to a large and varied assortment of anything.
- A buffet containing a large variety of foods.
- A wide and varied assortment of objects, choices, or opportunities.
"The Scandinavian smorgasbord included cold fish, sliced meats, cheeses, breads, and numerous accompaniments."
"At the holiday luncheon, guests gathered around a generous smorgasbord of salads, fish, and pastries."
"The committee was presented with a smorgasbord of proposals, each carrying a different set of costs and benefits."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple buffets or assortments.
"The fair featured several smorgasbords serving regional specialties."
The word began as a Swedish picture: a literally laid-out “sandwich table” filled with many kinds of food.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does smorgasbord come from?
The word comes from Swedish smörgåsbord, literally “sandwich table.” Its two elements, smörgås (“sandwich” or “open-faced sandwich”) and bord (“table”), describe the characteristic arrangement of many foods on a table. The term entered English in the late nineteenth century in connection with Swedish immigrant dining and was subsequently broadened in meaning to refer to a varied buffet and, figuratively, to an abundant assortment.
Related word forms
How smorgasbord is actually used
The term is especially associated with Scandinavian cuisine, but its figurative use is fully idiomatic in modern English. In British English, “buffet” may be preferred when referring to the meal itself.