: a store where ready-to-eat food products (such as cooked meats and prepared salads) are sold : delicatessen
You shuffle off to the deli and pick up a pastrami-on-rye and an egg cream. The bald man behind the counter whistles cheerfully as he slices the meat. Jay McInerney
Sixth Avenue in midtown was once lined with convenient, low-priced delis, cafeterias, coffee shops, and the like. Brendan Gill
also: the food sold at a delicatessen
If you're hungry for deli in Miami, only the Rascal House will do. Norman Kolpas
… a neat, orderly, well-lighted place so clean you could eat deli off the floor … Jack Fincher
—often used before another noun
deli meats/platterswaiting in line at the deli counter
Example Sentences
We bought sandwiches and drinks at the deli.
Recent Examples on the WebIncreasingly, my trips to the diner, the deli, the coffee house and even the food truck have turned into culinary ambushes. Joe Queenan, WSJ, 14 July 2022 Food options include a casual deli and the lodge’s stately dining room, known for regional dishes such as local trout and venison meatloaf. Laura Randall, Washington Post, 18 May 2022 Another post describes the Tops supermarket as the first location to be targeted, and goes on to list two other nearby locations to possibly attack, including a deli and a barbershop. Pierre Thomas, ABC News, 16 May 2022 The marketplace features a traditional bazaar with Greek imports, pottery, fine jewelry, artwork and Greek deli. Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 The stores will have fresh produce, a meat counter, a bakery, a full-service deli and groceries. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2022 Other highlights include a wide, shallow drawer that’s perfect for storing a cheese and charcuterie platter before a party or deli meat to make sandwiches quickly during the week, plus a fresh air filter to minimize odors. Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2022 The chain offers fresh food and a full-service deli as well as optical and tire services and on-site gas stations. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 15 Aug. 2022 The girlfriend gave them phone numbers for Duffy and deli owner, Georgios Kakavelos. Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2022 See More