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Definition of busboy

busboy

/ˈbʌsˌbɔɪ/
bus · boy
Plural:busboys
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busboy Lexical Profile

busboy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A restaurant or dining room employee whose primary duties are clearing used dishes, resetting tables, refilling water glasses, and assisting waitstaff.

Example

"During the busy dinner rush, the busboy worked quickly to clear and sanitize the empty tables for waiting guests."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for busboy

Word Nuance & Usage

In contemporary restaurant settings, the gender-neutral terms "busser" or "dining room attendant" are increasingly preferred over "busboy," especially in job postings and formal contexts.

• Nearby Words

bury
bus
busan
busboy
busgirl
bush
bush lily

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English in the early 20th century, shortened from "omnibus boy." An "omnibus" (from Latin meaning "for all") was a four-wheeled cart used by restaurant workers to carry dirty dishes and supplies.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Busboy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/busboy
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