restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌre-stə-rə-ˈtər How to pronounce restaurateur (audio)
variants or less commonly restauranteur
: the operator or proprietor of a restaurant

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Restaurateur Has French Roots

Restaurateur and restaurant are French words from Latin restaurare, meaning "to restore." Of the two words, restaurant is more common—a fact that may have influenced the development of the variant spelling restauranteur for restaurateur. Some people consider restauranteur to be an error, but it is still on the menu as an acceptable word choice.

Examples of restaurateur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The economic reality of operating a restaurant is as challenging as ever in 2024, and opening a lively bar is an opportunity that just makes sense to some restaurateurs: quicker turn times, lower labor costs, more drinks served. Emily Wilson, Bon Appétit, 16 Dec. 2024 The founders are seasoned restaurateurs and businessmen: Oisín Rogers, the former landlord of the popular Guinea Grill pub in Mayfair; Charlie Carroll, founder of the steakhouse Flat Iron, and Ashley Palmer-Watts, who spent two decades as a chef at the Fat Duck. Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024 The first-time restaurateur asked each to prepare a salsa. Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024 Carlotta Newly opened in the heart of Canberra’s CBD Carlotta, is the coastal Mediterranean concept from Australian restaurateur Chris Lucas, the visionary behind Chin Chin, Grill Americano and Kisumé. Kaila Yu, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for restaurateur 

Word History

Etymology

French restaurateur, from Late Latin restaurator restorer, from Latin restaurare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of restaurateur was in 1796

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Dictionary Entries Near restaurateur

Cite this Entry

“Restaurateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restaurateur. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

restaurateur

noun
res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌres-tə-rə-ˈtər How to pronounce restaurateur (audio)
variants also restauranteur
: a person who owns or runs a restaurant
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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