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

• beanery
• café
• cafe
• caff [British]
• eatery
• grill
• restaurant

Examples of diner in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

After returning to Combs’ house, Combs made James drive him and D-Roc back to the diner, and the rapper had three handguns in his lap, James said. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 21 May 2025

Participating diners are asked to bring or show The Community Food Connection flier that is available on the organization’s Facebook page. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025

When the friend informed Combs, Combs grabbed three guns and told James to drive to the diner. —Jenna Sundel joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025

Early in our courtship, Yassir spoke romantically of New York’s late-night diners and constant goings-on. —Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025

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