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Synonyms

cover charge

American  

noun

  1. a fee, in addition to the cost of food and drink, charged by a restaurant, nightclub, etc., for entertainment.


cover charge British  

noun

  1. a sum of money charged in a restaurant for each individual customer in addition to the cost of food and drink

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cover charge

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

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.

The club, which used to be open every day, now opens only three days a week with limited hours and implemented a new cover charge, Hoeschen said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2024

There's a cover charge for show nights, but bowling is reasonable if you have a group, as it's only $35 per lane, per half hour.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2023

It’s essentially a cover charge to get into the same page where you might be able to click a buy button, or you might not.

From The Verge • Nov. 19, 2021

Most years, the NBA Finals feel like an exclusive club with a stiff cover charge and beefy bouncers.

From Washington Post • Jun. 7, 2021

It is only 135 hours until we are all standing at the door of Atlantis again with our cover charge in our palms.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King

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