barista

American  

[buh-ris-tuh, -ree-stuh, bah-rees-tah] / bəˈrɪs tə, -ˈri stə, bɑ ris tɑ /

noun

plural

baristas, baristi

1. a person who is specially trained in the making and serving of coffee drinks, as in a coffee bar.

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barista British  

/ bəˈrɪstə /

noun

1. a person who makes and serves coffee in a coffee bar

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Etymology

Origin of barista

First recorded in 1980–85; from Italian: “bartender,” from bar bar ¹ ( def. ) (a loanword from English) + Italian -ista -ist ( def. )

Explanation

A barista is a café employee who specializes in coffee drinks, especially espresso. The person who makes your half-caf vanilla caramel latte is a barista. In Italy, a barista is a "bartender serving coffee drinks, alcoholic drinks, and snacks." The word was adopted by English-speakers around 1992, at the start of the craze for espresso bars and cafés outside of Italy. If a restaurant only serves drip coffee, the person making it isn't called a barista. An espresso machine, on the other hand, requires a barista. If your specialty coffee drink is always delicious and served with a smile, be sure to tip your barista!

Example Sentences

“The metrics are near impossible to hit,” one Starbucks barista, who requested anonymity to protect their job, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

When was the last time you engaged in friendly banter with your barista, chatted with your neighbor or called your mother?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

The “handoff” step, in which a barista calls a customer’s name and finishes making their drink in front of them, is a key part of that experience.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

On a cobbled street lined by timber-framed buildings in Canterbury, barista Ivan Galt estimates his takings are 40% down since news of the outbreak.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

At the register, a barista called, “Ingrid and Oliver,” and placed our cups on the counter.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows