waitress
waitress
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "waitress" is /ˈweɪ.trəs/.
/ˈweɪ/
/trəs/
Word Form Variations
Noun: waitress (singular), waitresses (plural)
Verb: waitress (base form, meaning to work as a waitress), waitresses (third person singular present), waitressing (present participle), waitressed (past simple, past participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A woman whose job is to serve food and drinks to customers at their tables in a restaurant, café, or other dining establishment.
Synonyms: server, attendant, stewardess, carhop (for drive-in restaurants)
Antonyms: customer, diner, guest, chef (as a contrasting role in a restaurant)
Definition 2: (Dated or less common now) A female attendant or servant who waits on another.
Synonyms: maid, serving girl, handmaiden (archaic), attendant
Antonyms: mistress, employer, lady of the house
Verb
Definition 1: To work as a waitress; to serve food and drinks to customers in a dining establishment.
Synonyms: serve, wait tables, work as a server
Antonyms: dine (as a customer), be served, manage (the establishment)
Examples of Use
Books:
"The weary waitress wiped down the counter, her feet aching after a long shift at the diner." (Fictional example from a contemporary novel or literary fiction)
"The book explores the lives of women in the service industry, including the challenges and triumphs of a young waitress in 1950s New York." (From a non-fiction social history book or historical fiction)
"She used to waitress in a small cafe in Nakuru before she moved to the city." (Fictional example, verb use, from a character's backstory in a novel)
Newspapers:
"A Githurai waitress received a surprising KES 50,000 tip from a grateful customer, making headlines." (Daily Nation)
"The union for hospitality workers is pushing for better wages and benefits for waitresses and other restaurant staff." (The Standard)
"Former waitress turns entrepreneur, launching a successful chain of organic juice bars." (Business Daily Africa)
Online Publications:
"How to deal with difficult customers: A guide for waitresses and servers." (An article on a hospitality industry blog, e.g., Restaurant Business Online)
"A viral video shows a singing waitress surprising restaurant patrons with an impromptu performance." (A human interest story on a news website, e.g., Good News Network)
"Is waitressing a good part-time job for students? Pros and cons from a former waitress." (An article on a career advice website, e.g., The Balance Careers)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'll have what she's having." (Customer's line from a diner scene in When Harry Met Sally..., 1989, spoken to a waitress)
Television Series: "For your next challenge, you must demonstrate impeccable service as a fine-dining waitress for a table of celebrity judges." (Instructions on a cooking or hospitality reality show, e.g., MasterChef)
Song Lyrics: "And she's a small town girl living in a lonely world, she took the midnight train going anywhere." (Journey, "Don't Stop Believin'," 1981) - This song often evokes the image of a waitress dreaming of more.
Video Games: "Your character can work as a waitress in the local diner to earn money and unlock new quests." (In-game activity in a simulation or RPG, e.g., The Sims)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we interview a former Broadway performer who used to waitress between acting gigs." (A podcast sharing anecdotes from the entertainment industry)
General Public Discourse:
"Excuse me, waitress, could we get some more water?" (A common phrase in a restaurant)
"My sister used to waitress to pay for her college tuition." (A common statement about past employment)
"The waitress was very efficient and friendly tonight." (Praising good service)
"What's the typical tip for a waitress in Kenya?" (A common question about etiquette)
"Being a waitress is harder than people think; it's a lot of running around." (A common observation about the job)
"I want to complain about the rude waitress we had." (A common complaint)
"The waitress took our order, and then disappeared into the kitchen." (Describing a restaurant interaction)
10 Quotes Using Waitress
"A small town girl, living in a lonely world, she took the midnight train going anywhere." (Journey, "Don't Stop Believin'," 1981) - This iconic song's lyrics often evoke the image of a waitress dreaming of escape, making the word implicitly famous within its context.
"I'll have what she's having." (Customer's line from a diner scene in When Harry Met Sally..., 1989) - This highly famous quote is directly delivered to a waitress in the film, making the word central to the scene's recognition.
"Excuse me, waitress, could we get some more coffee?" (Common phrase in diners and restaurants, widely recognizable)
"My old waitress used to give me extra fries without asking." (Original quote, playing on relatable dining experiences)
"Being a waitress taught me more about human nature than any psychology class." (Lesser-known, but common sentiment among those who have worked the job)
"She was the best waitress in town, always smiling and quick with a refill." (Common descriptive phrase for excellent service)
"I'm working as a waitress to pay my way through college." (Common relatable statement about part-time employment)
"The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said." (Peter Drucker) - This relates to the attentiveness of a good listener or a good waitress.
"You want to know what I did? I killed a tiger." (Dialogue from Life of Pi, 2012 film) - While unrelated, the context of film production involves many roles, and a waitress might serve the crew.
"The waitress quickly cleared the table, preparing for the next customers." (Original quote, describing a typical action)
Etymology
The word "waitress" is a straightforward English creation, built on the word "waiter" with a common female suffix.
It comes from the noun "waiter" with the English suffix "-ess" added.
The suffix "-ess" (from Old French -esse, and Latin -issa) is used to form feminine nouns from masculine ones (e.g., actor -> actress, lion -> lioness).
So, the etymology of "waitress" is directly linked to the origin of "waiter":
The noun "waiter" itself comes from the verb "wait" (from Old French waitier meaning "to watch" or "to be on guard"). "Waiter" originally meant a "watchman" or "attendant." Later, it shifted to mean a "man who serves in a dining establishment."
When "waitress" first appeared in English, in the late 17th century (specifically around 1670), its meaning was explicitly "a woman who serves food and drink to customers in a public dining establishment." It emerged as a specific feminine form to describe women entering this service role.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Waitress
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "waitress":
Diner waitress: A waitress who works in a casual, often American-style diner.
Singing waitress: A waitress who also performs songs for customers.
Carhop waitress: A waitress who serves customers in their cars, typically at a drive-in restaurant.
To work as a waitress: To be employed in the role of serving food and drinks.
The waitressing life: (Informal) Referring to the experiences and challenges of working as a waitress.
A fast waitress: A waitress who is quick and efficient in her service.
A good tip for the waitress: A common phrase when discussing gratuity for service.
She's a seasoned server: (Synonym for an experienced waitress) A woman with extensive experience in serving customers.
The server's station: The area in a restaurant where a waitress prepares drinks, checks orders, etc. (Related to the waitress's work area).
Bringing the order: The action of a waitress delivering food or drinks. (Common descriptive phrase).
To charm the customers: To use one's personality to make patrons feel welcome and happy. (Often a skill of a good waitress).
Her uniform was crisp: Describing the professional appearance of a waitress. (Original, emphasizing professionalism).
The bell for service: A call for a waitress or server to attend to customers. (Related to restaurant operations).
A female attendant: A more formal or general term for a woman who serves. (Synonym).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of waitress from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
