waitress

American  

[wey-tris] / ˈweɪ trɪs /

noun

1. a woman who waits on tables, as in a restaurant.

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verb (used without object)

1. to work or serve as a waitress.

   She waitressed in a restaurant to help pay her way through college.

waitress British  

/ ˈweɪtrɪs /

noun

1. a woman who serves at table, as in a restaurant

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verb

1. (intr) to act as a waitress

Gender

See -ess, -person.

Etymology

Origin of waitress

First recorded in 1580–90; wait(e)r + -ess

Example Sentences

"There is a waitress he knows, she serves him all the time, he's very friendly with her and unfortunately, she's gone."

From Barron's

They said they believed it began when a waitress put "birthday candles" on top of some champagne bottles.

From BBC

Two French nationals who said they were in the bar at the time described seeing a waitress put a birthday candle on top of a champagne bottle.

From BBC

If no one was at a nearby table, he would strike up a conversation with the waitress.

From The Wall Street Journal

Professionally, the biggest tippers in my cab were waitresses.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• flight attendant
• hostess
• stewardess
• waiter