waiter
waiter Lexical Profile
waiter Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person, especially a man, whose job is to serve food and beverages to customers at their tables in a restaurant or dining establishment.
"The waiter recommended the grilled salmon and brought a basket of warm bread to our table."
A person who waits or bides their time for something to happen or arrive.
"As a patient waiter at the bus terminal, he passed the hour quietly reading his novel."
A small tray or salver used for carrying dishes, glasses, or light refreshments.
"She arranged the porcelain teacups on a silver waiter before carrying them into the parlor."
• verb
To work as a waiter serving food and drinks in a restaurant.
"He waitered at a busy downtown bistro during the summer to save money for college tuition."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'waiter' has historically referred specifically to a male restaurant attendant (paired with 'waitress'), gender-neutral alternatives such as 'server' are now widely preferred in professional hospitality contexts.
• Rhymes for waiter
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'waiter', originally denoting a watchman or attendant, derived from the verb 'waiten' (from Anglo-Norman 'waiter', meaning to watch or guard) plus the agentive suffix '-er'.