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

Christmas is just around the corner and while most restaurants will be closed, there are a few that will be open to serve diners on the holiday. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 9 Dec. 2024

End the night at Jay’s diner, the best place for hangover food. —Lee Middleton, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Dec. 2024

Breakfast is served at a diner down the street that The Henson now owns (guests get vouchers for free meals) and is absolutely adorable. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024

This scene, with its Martin Blank versus Grocer at the diner vibe, is the clearest example so far of Grosse Pointe Blank as an ancestor of Black Doves. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diner

• diner-out

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