noun
Uncommon
tavern
TA-vuhn
Tavern (noun) means an establishment that serves alcoholic drinks, and sometimes food, often with a traditional or old-fashioned feel. Example: “They stopped for a pint at a roadside tavern.”
noun
1
An establishment that serves alcoholic drinks, and sometimes food, often with a traditional or old-fashioned feel.
"They stopped for a pint at a roadside tavern."
"The old tavern had been serving travellers since the 1700s."
How to use tavern
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pub or bar, often one with a historic or old-world feel.
Common pairings
a roadside tavern
the village tavern
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like tavern.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- taverns
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They stopped for a pint at a roadside _____.
Etymology
From Old French taverne ("wine shop"), from Latin taberna ("inn, shop") — a doublet of the word "taverna" used in some other languages.
Related words
Rhymes for tavern
See all rhymes for 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.
