café

1 of 2

noun

ca·​fé ka-ˈfā How to pronounce café (audio)
kə-
variants or less commonly cafe
often attributive
1
: a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments (such as coffee)
broadly : restaurant
2
3

CAFE

2 of 2

abbreviation

corporate average fuel economy

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
In the trendy neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, cafes and clothing stores bustled as usual. Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025 In 2023, Bachelier opened a cafe and test kitchen space along Highway 101 in Leucadia that somewhat accidentally became a blockbuster restaurant, though its immediate success was slightly improbable but not at all surprising given the collective talent. Candice Woo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 The sisters are opening Peek-a-Brew this spring, a modern play café, located at 118 Main St. in Old Saybrook, which will combine a sit-down bistro-style cafe with an area for children to play. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2025 In recent months, Cat & Cloud Coffee, based in Santa Cruz, has turned down offers to open new cafes in the city because of the uncertainty generated by Trump’s tariffs, said company owner Charles Jack. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025 This cute upstairs cafe at the English Market is a great choice for tea, cakes or lunch. Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Spellman envisions a bookstore and cafe combination that would offer craft beer and coffee alongside bestsellers and literary favorites. Mike Deehan, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025 Dillard echoes her sentiment, sharing that there are also great schools and a lovely downtown lined with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2025 Free coffee for dancing customers at this cafe — check it out! Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Café.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caf%C3%A9. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

café

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