Cafe — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun abbreviation /ka-ˈfā/ ca·fé

Meaning & Definition of Cafe

Cafe (noun)

  1. a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments (such as coffee); broadly, restaurant
  2. barroom
  3. cabaret, nightclub

Cafe (abbreviation)

  1. corporate average fuel economy

Cafe (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a bar or restaurant offering special nighttime entertainment (as music, dancing, or comedy acts)

    "the café presents nationally known jazz performers in an intimate setting"

    similar: bistro, boîte, cabaret, club, nightclub, nightspot, nitery, roadhouse, supper club
    related: a-go-go, disco, discotheque, barroom, pub (chiefly British), public house (chiefly British), saloon, tavern, clip joint (slang), dive, honky-tonk, key club, speakeasy, canteen, watering hole, watering place

  2. a place of business where alcoholic beverages are sold to be consumed on the premises

    "a speakeasy that became a fashionable café with the repeal of prohibition"

    similar: bar, barroom, cantina (Southwest), dramshop, gin mill, grogshop (chiefly British), pub, public house (chiefly British), saloon, taproom, tavern, watering hole, watering place
    related: alehouse, barrelhouse, bistro, bottle club, brewpub, cabaret, dive, joint, nightclub, roadhouse, speakeasy, sports bar, wineshop, package store

  3. a public establishment where meals are served to paying customers for consumption on the premises

    "they met at a little café in Paris"

    similar: beanery, caff (British), diner, eatery, grill, restaurant
    related: cafeteria, lunch counter, luncheonette, lunchroom, snack bar, greasy spoon, hash house, chophouse, steak house, pizzeria, coffeehouse, coffee shop, estaminet, teahouse, tearoom, tea shop (chiefly British), bar, barroom, inn, tavern

Related Entry: Cafe society (noun)

Cafe society is a different word from Cafe. The synonyms below are for cafe society, not for cafe.

  1. as in beautiful people, haut monde

    similar: A-list, beau monde, beautiful people, Four Hundred, glitterati, haut monde, jet set, society, aristocracy, elite, gentility, gentlefolk, gentry, nobility, patriciate, quality, upper class, upper crust, carriage trade, plutocracy
    opposite: proletarians, proletariat, commoners, (the) crowd, (the) masses, peasantry, peonage, (the) people, plebeians, plebs, (the) populace, (the) public, rank and file, bourgeoisie, middle class, working class, dregs, (the) herd, (the) mob, rabble, rabblement, riffraff, scum, trash

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cafe

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cafe:

Chiefly British: grogshop, public house
Southwest: cantina
British: caff
bistro, boîte, cabaret, club, nightclub, nightspot, nitery, roadhouse, supper club, bar, barroom, dramshop, gin mill, pub, saloon, taproom, tavern, watering hole, watering place, beanery, diner, eatery, grill, restaurant

Related Words for Cafe

a-go-go, disco, discotheque, clip joint, dive, honky-tonk, key club, speakeasy, canteen, alehouse, barrelhouse, bottle club, brewpub, joint, sports bar, wineshop, package store, cafeteria, lunch counter, luncheonette, lunchroom, snack bar, greasy spoon, hash house, chophouse, steak house, pizzeria, coffeehouse, coffee shop, estaminet

Origin & Etymology of Cafe

French café coffee, café, from Turkish kahve coffee

First known use: 1802

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cafe

Words & Phrases Containing Cafe

cafe Americano, cafe au lait, cafe au lait spot, cafe noir, cafe society, pousse-cafe, transport cafe

Frequently Asked Questions about Cafe

What does "Cafe" mean?

"Cafe" means a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments (such as coffee); broadly, restaurant. As an a noun and an abbreviation, it is defined as: a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments (such as coffee); broadly, restaurant. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cafe"?

Other words for "Cafe" include bistro, boîte, cabaret, club, nightclub, nightspot, nitery and roadhouse. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cafe" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cafe"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cafe". Common alternatives include bistro, boîte, cabaret, club, nightclub, nightspot, nitery, roadhouse, supper club and bar.

How do you use "Cafe" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cafe" in a sentence: "the café presents nationally known jazz performers in an intimate setting"; "a speakeasy that became a fashionable café with the repeal of prohibition"; "they met at a little café in Paris".

Is "Cafe" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cafe" can be used as a noun and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "Cafe" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Cafe" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Cafe"?

"Cafe" is pronounced /ka-ˈfā/ and divided into syllables as ca·fé.

What is the origin of the word "Cafe"?

"Cafe" comes from French café coffee, café, from Turkish kahve coffee. First known use: 1802.