café

1 of 2

noun

ca·​fé ka-ˈfā 

kə-

variants or less commonly cafe

often attributive

1

: a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments (such as coffee)

broadly : restaurant

2

: barroom

3

: cabaret, nightclub

CAFE

2 of 2

abbreviation

ka-ˈfā 

corporate average fuel economy

Synonyms of café

Noun

• cabaret
• nightclub
• club
• bistro

Examples of café in a Sentence

Noun

the café presents nationally known jazz performers in an intimate setting

a speakeasy that became a fashionable café with the repeal of prohibition

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The three-building campus will also have a fitness center, a cafe and an outdoor work space. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Junberry Tea Lounge, a new cafe offering full tea service, boba and matcha, is now open in Rancho Cordova’s Sunridge Plaza at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Douglas Road. — Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

This week’s literary geography quiz is a tour of the cafes, clubs and other establishments around New York City that attracted poets and authors. — J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The cafe has been in its current location on Vorosmarty Square since 1870. — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French café coffee, café, from Turkish kahve — more at coffee

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing café

• café au lait
• café au lait spot
• pavement café
• pousse-café
• sidewalk café
• transport café

Kids Definition

café

noun

ca·​fé

variants also cafe

ka-ˈfā 

kə-

1

: a usually small restaurant

2

: barroom

3

: nightclub