waitress

/ˈweɪtrəs/
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A gender-specific word for a woman who serves customers at tables, also used as a verb for doing that restaurant work.

Examples

  • Several students waitress during the summer season.
  • The waitress brought menus to the table by the window.
  • She waitressed on weekends to pay her rent.
  • Two waitresses handled the patio tables during the lunch rush.
  • The cafe hired another waitress for weekend breakfasts.

Similar words

waitron
wait tables
wait on tables
waitstaff
waiter
serve
server
serve tables
work tables
waitperson

Meanings

Female table server

noun
hospitality
neutral
A woman whose job is to take orders and bring food and drink to customers at tables in a restaurant, cafe, bar, or similar place.

Examples

  • The waitress brought menus to the table by the window.
  • Our waitress recommended the soup before taking our order.
  • Two waitresses handled the patio tables during the lunch rush.
  • I worked as a waitress in a cocktail bar during college.
  • The customer thanked the waitress for noticing the allergy note.
  • The cafe hired another waitress for weekend breakfasts.
  • Ask the waitress for the bill when everyone is ready.

Similar words

Work as a waitress

verb
hospitality
neutral
To do the job of a waitress, especially by taking orders and serving food and drink in a restaurant.

Examples

  • She waitressed on weekends to pay her rent.
  • My aunt waitressed at the same diner for years.
  • Several students waitress during the summer season.
  • After moving to Chicago, Lena waitressed while auditioning.
  • The job taught her patience because she waitressed through busy brunch shifts.
  • She has waitressed in both cafes and hotel restaurants.
  • Many performers have waitressed between acting jobs.

Similar words

Etymology

Formed from waiter and the feminine suffix -ess. Earlier uses meant a female attendant, and modern dictionaries now center the restaurant and table-service sense.

FAQ

What does waitress mean?

Waitress means a woman whose job is to serve customers at tables in a restaurant, cafe, bar, or similar place.

Is waitress gender-specific?

Yes. Waitress is gender-specific, while server and waitstaff avoid saying whether the person is a man or a woman.

Can waitress be used for a man?

No. A man in the same role is usually a waiter, or more neutrally a server.

What is the plural of waitress?

The regular plural is waitresses.

Can waitress be a verb?

Yes. To waitress means to work as a waitress, as in She waitressed on weekends.

How is waitress different from server?

Server is gender-neutral and can cover the same restaurant role, while waitress specifically refers to a female server.

Where does waitress come from?

Waitress is formed from waiter plus the feminine suffix -ess.

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