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cafeteria-style

American  
[kaf-i-teer-ee-uh-stahyl] / ˌkæf ɪˈtɪər i əˌstaɪl /

adjective

  1. set up to allow a variety of choices.

  2. arranged like a cafeteria.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The novel’s 18 chapters are served cafeteria-style, a little from this section, a little from that, to provide an overview of the main action.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 8, 2025

My family frequented Luby’s, a cafeteria-style Texas restaurant known for its healthy-ish options.

From Seattle Times Apr. 16, 2024

Hikers were served cafeteria-style meals prepared by a cook.

From New York Times Mar. 13, 2023

All of the meals were served indoors to 70 or so people at a time lining up and eating cafeteria-style.

From Washington Post Jun. 8, 2020

It operated cafeteria-style; Tarlac, unfamiliar with any of the food, copied Hovan's choices, and ended up with more than he could possibly eat.

From Fearful Symmetry A Terran Empire novel by Wilson, Ann

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