café

1 of 2

noun

ca·​fé ka-ˈfā How to pronounce café (audio)
kə-
variants or less commonly cafe
often attributive
Synonyms of cafénext
1
: a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments (such as coffee)
broadly : restaurant
2
3

CAFE

2 of 2

abbreviation

corporate average fuel economy

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Kim, 70, runs the cafe with the same routine every day, opening early and closing by noon. Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026 In 2015, Christine opened her second cafe, Lincoln, near border of Altadena and Pasadena. Michelle Huneven, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026 The Sacramento Business Journal reports that the cafe will serve coffee and tea drinks and light bites like avocado toast. Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026 Kansas Citians likely recognize the name Robin Krause for her popular local cafe Billie’s Grocery. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026 Meanwhile, local shopkeepers sell everything from home décor to fine art, and restaurants range from cheery cafes to moody pubs. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026 On the banks of the West Lake is the leafy enclave that is Philo Garden cafe. Arundhati Hazra, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026 This is the shoe brand’s second cafe. Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026 Betancur’s wife, Lady, designed the cafe and will run it. Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of café was in 1802

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Café.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caf%C3%A9. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

café

noun
ca·​fé
variants also cafe
ka-ˈfā How to pronounce café (audio)
kə-
1
: a usually small restaurant
2
3
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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