waiter
gb/wˈeɪtɚ/ us/wˈeɪtɚ/
A2
English
~ 6300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
person serving food in restaurant
A person who works in a restaurant and brings food and drinks to people at the table.
Usage pattern:
[someone] works as a waiter in [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "waiter" and "waitress". In modern English, many people use the neutral word "server" for any gender. Also, "waiter" is a noun; do not say *"He waiters in a restaurant"*—instead say "He works as a waiter in a restaurant" or "He waits tables." Another mistake is using "servant" instead of "waiter"; "servant" means a domestic worker in a private home, not restaurant staff.
Synonyms
server (More gender-neutral and now preferred in many restaurants, especially in American and inclusive contexts.)
Antonyms
customer (The customer is the person being served, the opposite social role to the waiter who serves.)
Collocations
waiter service
|head waiter
|call the waiter
|rude waiter
|friendly waiter
|waiter brings the bill
Themes
food
|work
|daily_life
|food_drink
Examples
- The waiter recommended the fish special and brought extra bread for the table.
- We complained to the waiter because our food was cold when it arrived.
- She worked as a waiter in a busy Italian restaurant to pay for college.
- The waiter placed the menus in front of us and poured some water.
- After we finished eating, the waiter brought the bill without being asked.
Learner examples
- The waiter takes our order.
- A friendly waiter talks to the children.
- My brother is a waiter in a small café.
- The waiter brings the food to the table.
- We ask the waiter for the bill.
Noun
archaic
C2
entity
2
tray for serving food or drink
A flat board or tray used to carry and serve food or drinks, especially in older or very formal English.
Common mistake:
Most learners do not know this old meaning and may think it refers to a person. If you see "waiter" used to mean a tray in literature or older texts, remember it is not about a restaurant worker.
Synonyms
tray (The everyday modern word; "waiter" for this meaning is old-fashioned and rarely used now.)
Antonyms
table (A fixed, standing surface for placing food and drink, rather than a portable tray used for carrying it.)
Collocations
silver waiter
|small waiter
|antique waiter
|tea on a waiter
Themes
food
|objects
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- The butler entered carrying a silver waiter with tea and biscuits.
- An antique brass waiter stood on the sideboard, set with crystal glasses.
- She arranged the cups neatly on a small wooden waiter before going into the drawing room.
Learner examples
- The old waiter was made of silver.
- He put the cups on a small waiter.
- They bought an antique waiter for their dining room.
Grammar
Expressions
cocktail waiter
1/kˈɑktˌeɪl wˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
waiter serving cocktails in a bar
A waiter who takes orders for drinks and brings cocktails to people in a bar, club, or hotel lounge.
Examples
- A cocktail waiter came over to take our drink order.
- The casino floor was busy with cocktail waiters serving the players.
- She works as a cocktail waiter in a high-end hotel bar.
head waiter
1/hˈɛd wˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
most senior waiter in a restaurant
The main waiter in a restaurant who is in charge of the other waiters and often talks to guests about problems or special requests.
Examples
- The head waiter showed us to our table and took our coats.
- If you have a complaint, ask to speak to the head waiter.
- The head waiter coordinated the staff during the busy dinner service.
waiter service
1/wˈeɪtɚ sˈɚvɪs/
fixed phrase
food served at your table by staff
Service in a restaurant, café, or bar where a waiter brings food and drinks to your table, instead of you going to the counter to get them.
Examples
- Breakfast is buffet-style, but dinner includes full waiter service.
- They charge more on the terrace because it comes with waiter service.
- The hotel offers waiter service at the pool bar during the summer.
wine waiter
1/wˈaɪn wˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
waiter specializing in wine service
A waiter in a restaurant whose special job is to help guests choose wine and to serve it at the table.
Examples
- The wine waiter recommended a dry white wine to go with the fish.
- Ask the wine waiter if you are not sure which bottle to choose.
- The wine waiter carefully poured a small taste for the host to try.