diner

noun

din·​er ˈdī-nər 

1

: a person who dines (as in a restaurant) or who is dining

2

a

: dining car

b

chiefly US : a typically small, informal, and inexpensive restaurant that has an extensive menu and that is often made from or designed to resemble a modified railroad dining car

had lunch at a roadside diner

Synonyms of diner

• restaurant

Examples of diner in a Sentence

we'll just grab a quick hamburger at the local diner

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of the diners and motels along the 2,448-mile long highway are being spruced up for the centenary. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

At night, traces of rugged quiet luxury emerge at The Pointe Restaurant with diners in cashmere ponchos and designer camera bags. —Jennie Nunn, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

Buffets can be hit or miss, but some restaurants are still getting it right, and diners across the country have taken notice. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026

The dish is especially appealing for diners who prefer savory grits over sweet grits. —Alexa Stone january 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diner

• diner-out

Rhymes for diner

• finer
• liner
• miner
• minor
• schreiner
• seiner
• shiner
• shriner
• signer
• viner
• weiner
• airliner

Kids Definition

diner

noun

din·​er ˈdī-nər 

1

: one that dines

2

a

: dining car

b

: a restaurant in the shape of a railroad car