noun
Uncommon
diner
DEYE-nuh
Diner (noun) means a small, casual restaurant, often open long hours and serving simple, affordable food, historically styled like a railroad dining car. Example: “They grabbed pancakes at a roadside diner on the way home.”
noun
1
A small, casual restaurant, often open long hours and serving simple, affordable food, historically styled like a railroad dining car.
"They grabbed pancakes at a roadside diner on the way home."
"The diner's neon sign glowed all night long."
2
A person who is eating a meal, especially at a restaurant.
"The waiter took the diners' orders one table at a time."
How to use diner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a casual, inexpensive restaurant, or simply someone who is eating.
Common pairings
roadside diner
greasy-spoon diner
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Word forms
- Plural
- diners
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They grabbed pancakes at a roadside _____ on the way home.
Etymology
From "dine" plus the agent suffix "-er".
Synonyms
View more →
dining car
buffet car
dining compartment
Rhymes for diner
See all rhymes for diner →Frequently asked questions
What does “diner” mean?
The word “diner” means a small, casual restaurant, often open long hours and serving simple, affordable food, historically styled like a railroad dining car. In plain terms, either a casual, inexpensive restaurant, or simply someone who is eating.
How do you pronounce “diner”?
“Diner” is pronounced DEYE-nuh (/ˈdaɪnə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “diner” in a sentence?
Here is “diner” used in a sentence: “They grabbed pancakes at a roadside diner on the way home.”
What part of speech is “diner”?
“Diner” is a noun.
Is “diner” a common word?
“Diner” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “diner” have?
“Diner” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, casual restaurant, often open long hours and serving simple, affordable food, historically styled like a railroad dining car.
