cabaret

noun

cab·​a·​ret ˌka-bə-ˈrā How to pronounce cabaret (audio)
ˈka-bə-ˌrā
Synonyms of cabaretnext
1
archaic : a shop selling wines and liquors
2
a
: a restaurant serving liquor and providing entertainment (as by singers or dancers) : nightclub
b
: the show provided at a cabaret

Examples of cabaret in a Sentence

a singing superstar who got her start singing in the cabarets of New York City
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.
Perhaps the most popular hotel in town, the 38-room River House at Odette’s, with its picturesque views of the Delaware, offers a splashy stay on the site of a 1960s bohemian cabaret run by musician and actress Odette Myrtill. Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026 Salon Toulouse, the ship's main lounge and bar, inspired by vintage Parisian cabarets and complete with deep red velvet armchairs, was Joie de Vivre's main social hub for sundowners and digestifs. Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026 What better way to honor your mom at her cabaret act premiere than to raid her closet — right? Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026 Festivalgoers can expect performances across multiple stages, including drag shows, DJs, comedy acts, tribute bands, and cabaret performances, as well as wellness programming and a large marketplace featuring local vendors and organizations. Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cabaret

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French dialect (Picard or Walloon), from Middle Dutch, alteration of cambret, cameret, from Middle French dialect (Picard) camberete small room, ultimately from Late Latin camera — more at chamber

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cabaret was in 1655

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cabaret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cabaret. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

cabaret

noun
cab·​a·​ret ˌkab-ə-ˈrā How to pronounce cabaret (audio)
ˈkab-ə-ˌrā

More from Merriam-Webster on cabaret

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster