Word
Definitions
01female server
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a woman who serves food and drinks to people at their tables in a restaurant.
n. a female attendant who serves customers in a restaurant, café, or similar establishment.
“The waitress brought us some extra napkins and more water for the table.”
“The waitress managed the busy lunch rush with impressive efficiency, ensuring every table received their orders without delay.”
Usage
While still common, many modern speakers prefer the gender-neutral term 'server' to avoid specifying the person's gender.
Teaching tip
In modern English, 'waiter' is sometimes used for both men and women, but 'waitress' remains specific to women.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to work as a server
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to work as a waitress in a restaurant.
v. to perform the duties of a waitress; to serve food and drink professionally.
“She waitressed at a local diner during the summer to save money for college.”
“He recalled how his sister had waitressed throughout her university years to supplement her scholarship income.”
Usage
This verb is often used intransitively or with the preposition 'at'.
Synonyms
Etymology
From waiter + -ess.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/waitress
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0