barista

American  

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

noun

baristas, plural baristi plural

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

She has given up on securing a "dream job", and now wants any type of work, but has been rejected for roles ranging from politics, business to an entry-level barista.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

While she once dreamed of being president of her native Ukraine, she has applied for roles in politics, business and as an entry-level barista, but not even heard back from most employers.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Amir, a 20-year-old barista, wasn’t letting thoughts of the future ruin his mood now.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

A barista calls out a string of orders.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon