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

Gamble’s husband, Larry Fletcher, boasted of his wife’s legal victory to a slightly uncomfortable-looking young waitress, who expressed her congratulations in an uncertain voice.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Religion has been a fundamental part of their relationship since they met in 2019, when they worked at the same café, he as a cook and she as a waitress.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Michelle Pfeiffer pays her mother, an ex-Hooters waitress, and Nick Offerman plays her dad, a former pro wrestler.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

But after a long wait, travel between the two nations now seemed to be getting easier, the waitress said, declining to give her name.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

A waitress sets our piping-hot pizza on the table.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• flight attendant
• hostess
• stewardess
• waiter