café

¹

Or ca·fe

[ka-fey, kuh-, ka-fey]

noun

plural

cafés 

1. a small, unpretentious restaurant, often with exterior seating on a patio or extending onto the sidewalk.

   Synonyms: tearoom, lunchroom, bistro, coffeehouse

2. coffee.

   I pick up a café and a croissant on my commute in to work every morning.

CAFE

²

[ka-fey, kuh-]

noun

1. a U.S. federally mandated standard of average minimum miles-per-gallon fuel consumption for all the cars produced by an automobile manufacturer in a given year.

café

/ ˈkæfeɪ, ˈkæfɪ /

noun

1. a small or inexpensive restaurant or coffee bar, serving light meals and refreshments

2. a corner shop or grocer

Spelling Note

See resume ².

Word History and Origins

Origin of café¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from French: literally, “coffee”; coffee

Origin of café²

C(orporate) A(verage) F(uel) E(conomy)

Word History and Origins

Origin of café¹

C19: from French: _coffee

Example Sentences

He was assessed by a medic and wrapped in foil blankets then transported to a cafe in Arnside, Carnforth, where he was seen by North West Ambulance Service staff.

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Customers at a Lancashire cafe are being offered a 20% discount if they agree to leave their mobiles in a specially built "phone jail" during their visit.

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Usman Hussain, who owns the Chaii Stop on St Paul's Road in Preston, wants the only buzz in his cafe to be that of lively conversations between friends, families and strangers.

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Usman said the cafe was "built for conversations, connections and good vibes so we thought let's make it fun to be present again".

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Three years ago, Usman said he would charge customers one of three prices at his cafe, depending on how well-mannered they were in placing their order.

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Related Words

• bistro 
• cafeteria 
• coffee shop 
• diner