diner

[dahy-ner]

noun

1. a person who dines.

2. a railroad dining car.

3. a restaurant built like such a car.

4. a small, informal, and usually inexpensive restaurant.

diner

/ ˈdaɪnə /

noun

1. a person eating a meal, esp in a restaurant

2. a small restaurant, often at the roadside

3. a fashionable bar, or a section of one, where food is served

Word History and Origins

Origin of diner¹

First recorded in 1800–10; dine + -er ¹

Example Sentences

In his own place of business, when Sohm detects that a diner is insecure about their wine knowledge, he focuses on fostering confidence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

McDonald’s reported in August that it’s gaining more middle-class diners as they eschew pricier restaurant options, while lower-income customers are showing up less frequently.

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After three months of research and development, the end result is a whimsical meal surrounded by four-dimensional art that diners can interact with, not simply observe.

Read more on Salon

Every Earth X extra is white — the folks on the street, the diners in a cozy family restaurant, the employees at A.R.G.U.S., the government agency Peacemaker works with.

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In New York, you can visit a Jellycat diner and Paris has its own Jellycat patisserie with adults lining up to buy the toys.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bistro 
• booth 
• coffee shop 
• saloon