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

busboy

BUHS-boy

Busboy (noun) means a restaurant worker who clears and cleans tables. Example: “He got his first job as a busboy at sixteen.”

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."

waiter's assistant

Rhymes for busboy

See all rhymes for busboy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “busboy” mean?

The word “busboy” means a restaurant worker who clears and cleans tables. In plain terms, a restaurant employee whose job is clearing dirty dishes and tidying tables.

How do you pronounce “busboy”?

“Busboy” is pronounced BUHS-boy (/ˈbʌsˌbɔɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “busboy” in a sentence?

Here is “busboy” used in a sentence: “He got his first job as a busboy at sixteen.”

What part of speech is “busboy”?

“Busboy” is a noun.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial