café

1 of 2

noun

ca·​fé ka-ˈfā How to pronounce café (audio)
kə-
variants or less commonly cafe
often attributive
Synonyms of cafénext
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 How to pronounce CAFE (audio)
corporate average fuel economy

Synonyms

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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Noun
Starbucks is making a big bet on reestablishing its cafes as community coffeehouses to reverse a decline in foot traffic and sales. — Kelly Tyko, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of café was in 1802

Phrases Containing café

Browse Nearby Words

CAFE
café
café Americano
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Cite this Entry

“Café.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caf%C3%A9. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

café

noun
ca·​fé
variants also cafe
ka-ˈfā How to pronounce café (audio)
kə-
1
: a usually small restaurant
2
: barroom
3
: nightclub
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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