English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

busboy

BUHS-boy
noun
1
A restaurant worker who clears and cleans tables.
"He got his first job as a busboy at sixteen."

How to Use Busboy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA restaurant employee whose job is clearing dirty dishes and tidying tables.

When to use it

Mainly American English; British English more often says "waiter's assistant" or simply describes the task.

Word Forms

busboys plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “busboy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He got his first job as a _____ at sixteen.

Etymology

"Bus" here is a clipping of "omnibus" in the older sense of "assistant waiter," combined with "boy."

Rhymes for busboy

See all rhymes for busboy →
Definitions: FreeDict original editorial