tavern
6 synonyms for tavern, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An establishment that serves alcoholic drinks, and sometimes food, often with a traditional or old-fashioned feel.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
alehouse
watering hole
How to use tavern
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a roadside tavern
the village tavern
Etymology
From Old French taverne ("wine shop"), from Latin taberna ("inn, shop") — a doublet of the word "taverna" used in some other languages.
Full origin of tavern →Frequently asked questions
What does “tavern” mean?
The word “tavern” means an establishment that serves alcoholic drinks, and sometimes food, often with a traditional or old-fashioned feel. In plain terms, a pub or bar, often one with a historic or old-world feel.
How do you pronounce “tavern”?
“Tavern” is pronounced TA-vuhn (/ˈtævəɹn/ in IPA).
How do you use “tavern” in a sentence?
Here is “tavern” used in a sentence: “They stopped for a pint at a roadside tavern.”
What part of speech is “tavern”?
“Tavern” is a noun.
Where does the word “tavern” come from?
The word “tavern” comes from Latin. From Old French taverne ("wine shop"), from Latin taberna ("inn, shop") — a doublet of the word "taverna" used in some other languages.
Is “tavern” a common word?
“Tavern” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a tavern and a pub?
A tavern is an establishment that serves alcoholic drinks and sometimes food, typically with a traditional or old-fashioned feel, while "pub" (short for public house) is the more common modern British term for a similar venue. "Tavern" often carries a more historic or rustic connotation than "pub."
What is the difference between a tavern and a bar?
A tavern usually implies an old-fashioned or traditional atmosphere and may serve food alongside drinks, whereas a bar is a more general, often modern term for a venue focused primarily on alcoholic drinks. "Tavern" tends to evoke history, while "bar" is neutral about era or style.
Is "tavern" a formal or informal word?
"Tavern" is a fairly neutral, everyday word, though it appears more in historical, literary, or descriptive contexts than in casual conversation, where "pub" or "bar" are more common. It isn't slang or overly formal — just a term with an old-fashioned flavour.
