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

• restaurant
• cafe

Examples of diner in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

While the Detroit-style pizzas are clearly loved by locals, diners can also choose from a variety of pastas, salads, and appetizers, including wings and breadsticks. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2025

Getty Images Consumers may be pulling back on spending, but fast-casual chains have found at least one way to keep diners coming back: rewards programs. —Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 7 July 2025

Big Boy decided to move into Greater Cincinnati after the shuttering of more than 60 Frisch’s diners. —Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025

Near also added that restaurants have seen other unexpected benefits including the etiquette of the diner has improved. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 3 July 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