cafeteria Definition
a restaurant or dining area in a school, hospital, or office building where customers serve themselves or are served from a counter and pay before eating.
Using cafeteria: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cafeteria" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I usually eat lunch at the cafeteria.
Example
The hospital cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Example
The company cafeteria is closed on weekends.
Example
The school cafeteria offers vegetarian options.
cafeteria Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for cafeteria
- canteen
- restaurant
- dining hall
- mess hall
Phrases with cafeteria
cafeteria-style
a way of serving food in which customers serve themselves from a counter and pay before eating
Example
The restaurant offers cafeteria-style service for breakfast and lunch.
an employee benefit plan that allows employees to choose from a variety of benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and life insurance
Example
The company offers a cafeteria plan that allows employees to select the benefits that best suit their needs.
a person who identifies as Catholic but selectively follows the teachings of the Church
Example
He considers himself a cafeteria Catholic because he disagrees with some of the Church's teachings.
Origins of cafeteria
from Spanish 'cafetería', meaning 'coffeehouse'
Summary: cafeteria in Brief
A 'cafeteria' [ˌkæfəˈtɪəriə] is a self-service restaurant or dining area in a school, hospital, or office building where customers pay before eating. It offers a range of meal options, including vegetarian choices, and may be closed on weekends. 'Cafeteria' also appears in phrases like 'cafeteria-style,' referring to self-service, and 'cafeteria plan,' an employee benefit plan. 'Cafeteria Catholic' denotes someone who selectively follows the teachings of the Catholic Church.
