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

Go boutique shopping on Fox Street before lunching at Living Room, a rooftop cafe with city views that are super lekker (cool, in Afrikaans). — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026

Sales the weekend after the incident more than doubled the cafe’s previous record. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026

Wi-Fi networks already hum away in homes, offices, airports, cafes, and shops worldwide, giving a technique like this enormous potential reach. — New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, and cafes can expose credentials and personal accounts to anyone monitoring the connection. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 26 Aug. 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