à la carte

[ ah luh kahrt, al-uh; French a la kart ]
/ ˌɑ lə ˈkɑrt, ˌæl ə; French a la ˈkart /

adjective, adverb

with a separate price for each dish offered on the menu: dinner à la carte.

Origin of à la carte

1820–30; < French: according to the menu; see carte

British Dictionary definitions for a la carte

à la carte
/ (ɑː lɑː ˈkɑːt, æ lə, French a la kart) /

adjective, adverb

(of a menu or a section of a menu) having dishes listed separately and individually priced Compare table d'hôte
(of a dish) offered on such a menu; not part of a set meal

Word Origin for à la carte

C19: from French, literally: according to the card