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

Root beer floats from the store’s cafe will be available at a discount, and election coverage will be shown on a projection screen. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026

In downtown Tehran, cafes are constantly packed — a striking sight for a country grappling with Western sanctions and an economic slump exacerbated by the war. — CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

The red-orange clouds above looked like they’d been poured into dozens of wine glasses at the little cafes. — M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026

Breakfast on campus is limited to light fare served in the cafe such as egg sandwiches, pastries, and smoothie bowls. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 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