waited tables

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waited tables" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the job of serving food and drinks to customers in a restaurant or similar establishment. Example: "During college, I waited tables at a local diner to help pay for my tuition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"She waited tables.

The New Yorker

Instead he waited tables.

The New York Times

She waited tables in a sports bar — great tips.

The New Yorker

"I've waited tables in my life," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

He prefers to hear that someone waited tables.

The New Yorker

His wife, after all, often waited tables to support him.

The New York Times - Books

He had waited tables and tended bars when necessary.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Suffering from cabin fever, they sublet their studio over the summer and waited tables in Nantucket.

The New York Times

She moved to Los Angeles at 19, waited tables and played occasional music gigs.

The New York Times

She waited tables, auditioned and "basically lived the life of a starving artist," she said.

The New York Times

His wife, 45, an aspiring photographer, waited tables around town and was a track coach.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past work experience, use "waited tables" to clearly convey that you worked as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant. It is a concise and commonly understood phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "waited tables" to describe general customer service roles outside of a restaurant setting. This phrase specifically refers to serving food and drinks at tables.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waited tables" functions as a verb phrase describing the act of working as a waiter or waitress. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Examples show it used to describe past employment or how someone earned money.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waited tables" is a common and acceptable way to describe working as a waiter or waitress, according to Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and widely understood, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "worked as a server" or "served customers" exist, "waited tables" is a concise and easily recognizable term. This expression is neutral in register and best used to describe restaurant employment, and is not suitable for other services. Remember to reserve this phrase for appropriate scenarios. It is clear from the many examples Ludwig provides that this expression is commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked as a waiter

Focuses on the role of serving customers in a restaurant setting, similar to "waited tables".

served as a waitress

Highlights the act of serving customers, specifying a female server.

waited on customers

Emphasizes the act of attending to customer needs at tables.

was a server

A more general term for someone who serves food and drinks.

worked in food service

Broader term encompassing various jobs related to food preparation and serving.

bussed tables

Focuses on the task of clearing tables, often done by support staff.

worked as a busboy

Specific role involving clearing tables and assisting servers.

was a food runner

Describes someone who delivers food orders to tables.

worked in hospitality

Very broad term encompassing various roles in the service industry.

worked a restaurant job

General term indicating employment within a restaurant setting.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "waited tables"?

Saying someone "waited tables" means they worked as a waiter or waitress, serving food and drinks to customers in a restaurant.

Is it correct to say "waited tables"?

Yes, "waited tables" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the job of serving customers in a restaurant. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct.

What are some alternative ways to say "waited tables"?

You can use alternatives such as "worked as a waiter", "served as a waitress", or "was a server" depending on the context.

Can I use "waited tables" in a formal context?

While "waited tables" is widely understood, more formal alternatives like "worked in food service" might be preferable in highly formal or business settings, though the original phrase is perfectly acceptable.