Waitress Definition, Examples & How to Use

Meaning 1：female server (Waitress)

Waitress 🔊

/ˈweɪtrəs/

A woman who works in a restaurant or cafe, serving food and drinks to customers.

Cheerful waitress serving salad to customer in cozy restaurant

female server 🔊

➕

/ˈfiːmeɪl ˈsɜːrvər/

A waitress is a woman whose job is to serve customers in a restaurant or cafe, taking orders and bringing food and drinks.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Waitress = 'wait' (serve) + '-ress' (feminine suffix), meaning a female server.

💡 Mnemonic

A waitress waits to serve, pressing your order into memory.

📖 Example

The waitress quickly took our order and brought fresh water to the table. 🔊 The waitress quickly took our order and brought fresh water to the table.

🔗 Collocations

waitress uniform – the clothing worn by a waitress

friendly waitress – a waitress who is kind and helpful to customers

waitress station – the area where a waitress prepares orders and collects supplies

🔄 Synonyms

server (n.) – a person who serves food and drinks, regardless of gender

hostess (n.) – a woman who welcomes and seats guests in a restaurant

attendant (n.) – a person who assists customers, especially in a dining setting

🚫 Antonyms

customer (n.) – a person who buys goods or receives services

diner (n.) – a person who eats a meal in a restaurant

🌱 Derivatives

wait (v.) – to remain in a place until something expected happens

waiter (n.) – a man who serves food and drinks in a restaurant

waitressing (n.) – the act or job of working as a waitress

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'waitress' emerged in English around the 16th century, from 'waiter' plus the feminine suffix '-ess', indicating a female server. Women historically worked in tea houses and inns, taking orders and serving food.