Cool MateA good cook vs Gourmet
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
A good cook
Top 2,000 (common)
Gourmet
FormalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Gourmet
| A good cook | Gourmet | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ə ɡʊd kʊk//🇺🇸 //ə ɡʊd kʊk// | 🇬🇧 //ɡɔːˈmeɪ//🇺🇸 //ɡɔˈrmeɪ// |
| Meaning | Someone who can make tasty food. | Food of high quality or special preparation. |
| Example | My grandmother is a good cook and makes the best pies. | The restaurant offers a gourmet menu that changes seasonally. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | a good cook, become a good cook, learn from a good cook, good cook skills, good cook recipes | gourmet food, gourmet meal, gourmet restaurant, gourmet coffee, gourmet chocolate |
| Antonyms | - | inferior, ordinary, basic |
| Common mistakes | Saying 'a good cooks' instead of 'a good cook'., Confusing with 'a great cook' when describing skills., Using inappropriately in formal settings where specific skills should be mentioned. | Confused with 'gourmand', which refers to someone who enjoys eating excessively., Used incorrectly to describe any kind of food instead of high-quality dishes., Incorrectly applies to cheap or fast food. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase to compliment someone's cooking abilities. It's neutral and can be used in any social context. | Used mainly to describe food and dining experiences that are luxurious or sophisticated. Not appropriate for casual dining contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: A good cook vs Gourmet
What's the difference between A good cook and Gourmet?
A good cook: Someone who can make tasty food. Gourmet: Food of high quality or special preparation.
Which is more formal: A good cook and Gourmet?
Gourmet is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
A good cook: My grandmother is a good cook and makes the best pies. Gourmet: The restaurant offers a gourmet menu that changes seasonally.
Can I use A good cook and Gourmet interchangeably?
Not always. A good cook and Gourmet are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.