cafeteria

/,kæfi'tiəriə/

Thân thiện

Students carry their trays through the busy cafeteria.

Definition

Noun: A restaurant or dining area, typically in an institution like a school, office, or hospital, where customers select their own food and drinks from a counter or display and pay for them at a cashier before eating.

Usage

The word "cafeteria" is used to describe a specific type of self-service eating establishment. It emphasizes the process where patrons serve themselves from available options, as opposed to being served by waitstaff. It is commonly associated with institutional settings.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The university cafeteria offers a variety of healthy meals.
  • We usually have lunch in the office cafeteria.
  • The hospital has a large cafeteria for staff and visitors.

Advanced Usage

• "cafeteria-style" (adjective): Describes a service or system where items are presented for individual selection from a range of options.
  • The conference provided a cafeteria-style lunch with many choices.
  • The benefits plan is cafeteria-style, allowing employees to pick the coverage they need.

Variants and Related Words

• Cafeterias (plural noun): The standard plural form.

  • The company manages cafeterias in several different buildings.

• Café (noun): A small restaurant selling light meals and drinks. While similar, a café usually implies table service or a more limited menu and is not necessarily self-service.

• Buffet (noun): A system of serving meals where food is placed in a public area, and diners serve themselves. A buffet is a of service, while a cafeteria is a that often uses this style.

Synonyms

• Canteen: (Chiefly British) A restaurant provided by an organization for its members or workers. Very similar in meaning and use to "cafeteria."
• Mess hall: A large room or building where members of the military or another group eat meals together.
• Dining hall: A large room for eating, especially in a school or college.

Antonyms

• Full-service restaurant: A restaurant where customers are served at their table by waitstaff.
• Diner: A small, often informal restaurant, typically with table service.

Related Phrases

• "cafeteria plan" (noun): In US employee benefits, a plan that allows employees to choose from a menu of benefit options.
  • She selected her health insurance through the company's cafeteria plan.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a restaurant where you serve yourself and pay a cashier