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Glite Dictionary
smorgasbord of

smorgasbord of

3 6.3
A wide selection of different things to choose from
  • noun
  • /ˈsmɔrɡəsˌbɔrd/
translation icon : variedad de
  • Our culture presents a smorgasbord of options that allow us to 'feel' like our ancestors did when they were successful.

You're like a just a smorgasbord of talent.

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Examples

  • Block had a smorgasbord of services for people who lived on the edge.

    Blog text (13)

  • This is an absolute smorgasbord of courses, quizzes, and curated content.

  • In turn, small fish, insects, and other animals feed on this smorgasbord of microscopic life.

    Academic text (1993)

  • To those desiring liberation, Vedanta offers a smorgasbord of yoga practices.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Now, they have a smorgasbord of effective therapies to choose from: clot-busting drugs, cardiac catheters, open-heart surgical techniques.

    Blog text (10)

  • Clearly, the Romans had a smorgasbord of religions to satisfy the palate of every Roman citizen, and they were free to serve themselves morsels from all cuisines.

    Academic text (2004)

  • We ordered a smorgasbord of tacos: fish, beef and pickle, squash blossom, and spicy shrimp.

    Blog text (10)

  • Alwan, based in New York City, has organized a smorgasbord of music and dance performances, art exhibits, poetry readings, and film screenings (including one on Islam to address post-9/11 fears).

    Academic text (2008)

  • After several expeditions to a local nature reserve, Seth compiled a long list of edibles and concluded that the forest was a virtual smorgasbord of nutritious and tasty berries, nuts, leaves, and fungi.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The festival featured a smorgasbord of cultural activities, including music, dance, and art exhibitions.

Synonyms

diversity
vssmorgasbord of
348 3.5

A range of different people or things

applies to an actual varied collection rather than abstract state
assortment
vssmorgasbord of
36 3.5

A collection of different things, like books or food

stresses breadth and diversity rather than mere grouping
smorgasbord
vssmorgasbord of
11 7.0

A wide variety of things to choose from

is the same idea but used before a noun phrase
salmagundi
vssmorgasbord of
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A mixed collection of different things

is more about planned wide range rather than random mixing
chapalang mix
vssmorgasbord of
  • UK
9.9

A collection of different things chosen without planning

describes wide diverse selection more neutral and deliberate
heterogeneousness
vssmorgasbord of
8.9

A situation in which people or things are different from each other

focuses on concrete assortment rather than abstract varied quality

Antonyms

uniformity
  • Specialized
18 4.6

The state of being the same in all parts

monotony
14 5.5

A boring feeling when things are the same again and again

How Varied

smorgasbord of
3 6.3
assortment
36 3.5
selection
171 1.9
item
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

smorgasbord of singular
smorgasbords of plural

Morphology

smorgasbord + of

The head noun 'smorgasbord' already denotes a broad, varied collection, and the preposition 'of' simply links it to the items being listed (e.g. 'a smorgasbord of activities'). This is a straightforward compositional noun + of construction found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would be able to derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Smorgasbord of comes from the Swedish word smörgåsbord, a table set with many different small dishes where people could help themselves. So, smorgasbord of is used today to mean 'a wide choice' or 'a mix of many different things'.