cafeteria

/ˈkæfəˌtɪriə/
/kæfɪˈtiriə/
IPA guide

Other forms: cafeterias

A cafeteria is a restaurant where you serve yourself, then pay a cashier. Most schools have a cafeteria serving up sloppy joes and square pizza.

"Let's go to the cafeteria!" usually means "Let's eat!" Most people think of school cafeterias, but they can exist elsewhere — a lot of Ikea stores actually have cafeterias for the customers. Cafeteria-style refers to any restaurant where you grab what you want and then pay for it before eating. Cafeterias usually aren't known for having the best food in the world, so if you have another option, go for it.

Definitions of cafeteria
  1. noun
    a restaurant or dining area where you serve yourself and pay a cashier
    see moresee less
    types:
    automat
    a cafeteria where food is served from machines
    type of:
    eatery, eating house, eating place, restaurant
    a building where people go to eat
Pronunciation
US
/ˈkæfəˌtɪriə/
UK
/kæfɪˈtiriə/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘cafeteria'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing cafeteria

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