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coffee shop

coffee shop

156 1.0
A small cafe where people buy coffee and light food
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔːfi ʃɑːp/
translation icon : cafetería
  • I had to meet her in a coffee shop to do her evaluation.
  • go to the coffee shop
  • local coffee shop
  • a coffee shop

Tons of cute little restaurants, coffee shops, Cherry Creek.

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Examples

  • Where is the best coffee shop to study in all of Vancouver?

  • Today I woke up and I went to the coffee shop on La Brea.

  • And I built this little coffee shop by the beach.

  • Now we're going back to the coffee shop to get a coffee.

  • I went to the coffee shop and I had a coffee.

  • So I go to the coffee shop today.

  • Hope it's a wonderful coffee shop, Jack.

  • Meet me at the coffee shop around the corner on 59th Street right after I get off work.

  • Yeah, it's one of the most recommended coffee shops in all of Osaka.

  • I love to relax and read a book at my favorite coffee shop in town.

Synonyms

diner
vscoffee shop
  • US
211 1.0

A small cheap restaurant with a counter that serves simple meals quickly

is more centered on beverage service and light snacks than full quick meals
cafe
vscoffee shop
206 1.0

A small place that serves coffee, drinks, and light food

places more emphasis on hot drinks rather than general meals
bistro
vscoffee shop
40 3.7

A small informal restaurant that serves simple meals and wine

is more about drinks and light snacks rather than wine and fuller meals
coffeehouse
vscoffee shop
25 1.0

A small place where people drink coffee and eat light food

is the broader familiar name used in everyday speech
cantina
vscoffee shop
  • US
13 3.9

A small bar or restaurant that serves drinks and simple food

is more centered on beverage and snack service rather than bar atmosphere and food
luncheonette
vscoffee shop
  • Archaic
5 5.7

A small simple restaurant that serves coffee and sandwiches at a counter

is more focused on drinks and cafe service than counter meal service
coffee bar
vscoffee shop
5 1.3

A small café where people buy coffee and light snacks

is the general everyday term rather than a specific label
caf
vscoffee shop
  • Informal
5 7.7

A small place that serves simple meals and drinks

is the neutral everyday name not emphasizing low cost or informality
brasserie
vscoffee shop
4 7.2

A small informal cafe that serves beer, wine, and simple food at moderate prices

is more focused on drinks and light snacks rather than full meals and alcohol
caff
vscoffee shop
  • UK
3 9.6

A small cheap cafe that serves simple hot food and drinks

is the general neutral term used internationally rather than informal local label
beanery
vscoffee shop
  • Archaic
2 7.4

A small cheap restaurant that serves simple food

is more specifically about drink service and light snacks rather than cheap meals
cookshop
vscoffee shop
  • Archaic
1 8.3

A small shop that sells hot meals to people

is more modern and centered on drinks and light meals rather than selling cooked food
espresso shop
vscoffee shop
2.3

A small coffee shop that mostly serves espresso and other coffee drinks

is more general, serving many drinks and light snacks rather than only strong brews
upscale cafe
vscoffee shop
4.8

A cafe with nicer, more expensive coffee and a stylish look

is more everyday and casual rather than luxurious or exclusive

How Formal

bistro
40 3.7
cafe
206 1.0
coffee shop
156 1.0
coffee stall
  • Indian
1.7
kiosk
32 3.3

Surface Forms

coffee shop singular
coffee shops plural

Morphology

coffee + shop

The meaning 'a place where coffee and light food are served' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'coffee' (the beverage) with 'shop' (a place of business). The noun+noun composition is a common, literal pattern cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Coffee shop comes from the simple idea of a small shop that sells coffee and light food, where people stop to buy a cup and meet friends. That's why today coffee shop means 'a small restaurant or café' where coffee, drinks and snacks are served.