English Reference
noun · verb

waiter

n. · v.
US /ˈweɪtɝ/ UK /wˈeɪtɐ/ wait·er UK spelling waitering, waiters

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    n.a person who works in a restaurant, takes your order, and brings your food.

    n.a person employed to serve customers at their tables in a restaurant or café.

    Simple

    The waiter recommended the grilled fish and brought us some water.

    In context

    The waiter navigated the crowded dining room with impressive agility, balancing three heavy plates on one arm while reciting the evening specials.

    Pitfall
    I asked the waiter for the bill. I asked the server for the bill.

    While 'waiter' is common, 'server' is often preferred in modern English as a gender-neutral term.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Literary

    n.someone who is waiting for a person, a bus, or an event to happen.

    n.a person who waits for someone or something.

    Simple

    The long-distance bus was late, leaving many tired waiters at the station.

    In context

    The platform was crowded with anxious waiters, all peering down the tracks for any sign of the delayed express train.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    v.to do the job of a waiter in a restaurant.

    v.to perform the duties of a waiter; to serve tables.

    Simple

    He is waiter-ing at a local bistro to save money for university.

    In context

    She spent her summer waiter-ing at a high-end resort, earning enough in tips to cover her entire semester of tuition.

    Usage

    Often used in the progressive form to describe a current job.

    servewait tables
This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Frequent
Updated