cafeteria
kafuh-TEER-ree-uh
Cafeteria (noun) means a self-service restaurant or dining hall where people select food at a counter and carry it to a table. Example: “Students grabbed trays and lined up in the school cafeteria.”
noun
1
A self-service restaurant or dining hall where people select food at a counter and carry it to a table.
"Students grabbed trays and lined up in the school cafeteria."
How to use cafeteria
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA self-serve dining hall, common in schools, offices, and hospitals.
Common pairings
school cafeteria
cafeteria line
cafeteria food
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Word forms
- Plural
- cafeterias
Fill the gap
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Students grabbed trays and lined up in the school _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Mexican Spanish cafetería ("coffeehouse"), from cafetera ("coffee maker"), tracing back through French to Arabic qahwa, "coffee."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cafeteria
See all rhymes for cafeteria →Frequently asked questions
What does “cafeteria” mean?
The word “cafeteria” means a self-service restaurant or dining hall where people select food at a counter and carry it to a table. In plain terms, a self-serve dining hall, common in schools, offices, and hospitals.
How do you pronounce “cafeteria”?
“Cafeteria” is pronounced kafuh-TEER-ree-uh (/ˌkæfəˈtɪ(ə)ɹi.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “cafeteria” in a sentence?
Here is “cafeteria” used in a sentence: “Students grabbed trays and lined up in the school cafeteria.”
What is another word for “cafeteria”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cafeteria” include lunchroom.
What part of speech is “cafeteria”?
“Cafeteria” is a noun.
Where does the word “cafeteria” come from?
The word “cafeteria” comes from French. Borrowed from Mexican Spanish cafetería ("coffeehouse"), from cafetera ("coffee maker"), tracing back through French to Arabic qahwa, "coffee.".
Is “cafeteria” a common word?
“Cafeteria” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
