waitress

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "waitress" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a female server in a restaurant, bar or cafe. For example, "The waitress brought our food to the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Not even with the pope would there have been all this fuss," exclaimed Diana Cucereavii, a waitress in a cafe nearby.

The Guardian - Film

If I dislike someone, it is all but impossible to conceal the fact, which is why I made a lousy waitress.

The Guardian - Opinion

During the lunch, chatting away, picking at the salmon he has ordered from the still giggling waitress, his voice takes on the tones of some of those he has admired or met or worked with.

The Guardian - Film

I can't recommend wearing an apron over a dress unless you're a waitress, but most people can do a wafty skirt or a top with an unusual hemline.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The waitress with the henna tattoo sends us to the Palace Hotel for dinner, which is how we end up in a dining room, sitting between miners and drag queens.

The Guardian

Probably the best proof of this is that last year I was just a waitress and they told me they would like me back this season as a supervisor.

The Guardian

So Kevin Spacey calls over the waitress and asks for another iced, swirly mocha thing.

The Guardian - Film

A structure they live in?" A waitress passes with a tray of salad as he points to an oozing wound.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Two particularly wonderful examples from this collection are "Complicity", about the delicate beginnings of a love affair, and "East Wind", about a relationship between an estate agent and a foreign waitress.

The Guardian

It was a family run business, so I worked in the kitchen and helped out as a chambermaid and waitress.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Just don't mistake Renée Zellweger for a waitress, as one Heat-deprived gawker did.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about service staff, consider using gender-neutral terms like "server" to promote inclusivity, unless the gender of the person is relevant to the context.

Common error

Don't automatically assume a server is female. Use "server" as a default or specify "waiter" for male servers to avoid gender bias.

Linguistic Context

The noun "waitress" functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to a female attendant who serves customers. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "waitress" is a very common and grammatically correct noun used to refer to a female server in a restaurant or café. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is descriptive, identifying a specific role. While widely accepted, consider using the gender-neutral "server" in professional settings to promote inclusivity. The examples demonstrate its consistent use across various news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

server

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

waiter

The male equivalent of a waitress.

food server

Emphasizes the serving of food, applicable in various settings.

table attendant

Focuses on the responsibility of looking after a table.

serving staff

Collective term for those who serve customers.

dining room attendant

Highlights the location where the service is provided.

restaurant employee

A broader term indicating employment in a restaurant setting.

front of house staff

Refers to staff who interact directly with customers.

beverage server

Focuses specifically on serving beverages.

catering assistant

Describes someone who helps with food service at events.

FAQs

How is a "waitress" different from a waiter?

A "waitress" is a female server, while a waiter is a male server. The term "server" is gender-neutral and can be used for both.

What's a more inclusive alternative to "waitress"?

The term "server" is a gender-neutral alternative that avoids specifying gender.

How can I use "waitress" in a sentence?

You can use "waitress" in sentences such as, "The waitress took our order promptly" or "She worked as a waitress to pay for college."

Are there any contexts where using "waitress" is inappropriate?

In professional settings or when gender is irrelevant, using the gender-neutral term "server" is generally preferred to avoid assumptions or bias.