A LA CARTE

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does a la carte mean? 

• A LA CARTE (noun)
  The noun A LA CARTE has 1 sense:

1. a menu having individual dishes listed with separate prices

  Familiarity information: A LA CARTE used as a noun is very rare.

• A LA CARTE (adjective)
  The adjective A LA CARTE has 1 sense:

1. (of a restaurant meal) having unlimited choices with a separate price for each item

  Familiarity information: A LA CARTE used as an adjective is very rare.

• A LA CARTE (adverb)
  The adverb A LA CARTE has 1 sense:

1. by ordering items listed individually on a menu

  Familiarity information: A LA CARTE used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• A LA CARTE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A menu having individual dishes listed with separate prices

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("a la carte" is a kind of...):

bill of fare; card; carte; carte du jour; menu (a list of dishes available at a restaurant)

• A LA CARTE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of a restaurant meal) having unlimited choices with a separate price for each item

Antonym:

table d'hote ((of a restaurant meal) complete but with limited choices and at a fixed price)

• A LA CARTE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

By ordering items listed individually on a menu

Context example:

we ate a la carte