waiter

Everyday

1. A waiter is a person whose job is to bring food and drinks to people in a restaurant or café. tree →
2. Rarely, a waiter is someone who waits. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, a waiter takes your order, brings your meal and the bill. In lessons on manners, children learn to say please and thank you to the waiter. In maths, restaurant problems include adding up the bill and sharing it, and in some countries leaving a tip. Phrases: «ask the waiter», «waiter, please», «the waiter brought».

Examples

• The waiter brought us our pizzas. tree →
• We said thank you to the waiter. tree →
• Ask the waiter for some water, please. tree →
• The waiter wrote our order on a notepad. tree →
• The bill was $36, so with four of us each person paid $9. tree →
• My brother wants to be a waiter in a café. tree →

Note

Countable noun, plural waiters. «Waitress» is used for women, but many people now say «server» or «waiter» for anyone. Tipping customs differ: in the USA and Canada tips are expected; in Australia and New Zealand they are less usual.