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luncheonette

luncheonette

5 5.7
A small simple restaurant that serves coffee and sandwiches at a counter
  • noun
  • /ˌlʌnʧəˈnɛt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : comedor
  • The small luncheonette served delicious sandwiches and coffee for breakfast.
  • luncheonette on the corner

This is Jay Elmore, and he's the executive chef of EJ's Luncheonette in New York City.

Examples

  • That afternoon, I bought a milkshake at a luncheonette and couldn't finish it.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I might even speak about how he inspired me when I was just a small-time vendor with a broken-down luncheonette.

  • You open a luncheonette, you gotta cook.

  • Well, this guy came into this luncheonette one day and we were all sitting around doing nothing.

  • "A Greek who owns a luncheonette up near Jupiter," I said.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Leaving the car where it was, they walked to a nearby luncheonette.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Nestor followed them to a luncheonette on the corner.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Even Larry's Luncheonette, a little place on Broadway, would have been welcome today.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • On a June afternoon, we sat in a local luncheonette as he told me that he was looking for someone to take his place working for a physician on the Grand Concourse.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Every island kid from twelve to twenty is gathered around the rustic front porch of Ruke's luncheonette.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

restaurant
vsluncheonette
1.0

A place where people pay to eat meals prepared for them

is a narrow form of that, focusing on quick light snacks at a counter
cafeteria
vsluncheonette
218 1.0

A place where people serve themselves from a counter and pay before they eat

is more about quick served snacks at a counter rather than self service
diner
vsluncheonette
  • US
211 1.0

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

leans more toward light snacks at a counter than full quick meals
cafe
vsluncheonette
206 1.0

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

is more focused on quick counter service and snack style offerings
coffee shop
vsluncheonette
156 1.0

A small cafe where people buy coffee and light food

is more about quick counter snacks than a relaxed coffee focus
bistro
vsluncheonette
40 3.7

A small informal restaurant that serves simple meals and wine

is narrower, focusing on very light snacks and counter service
coffeehouse
vsluncheonette
25 1.0

A small place where people drink coffee and eat light food

places more weight on quick light meals and counter service
eatery
vsluncheonette
21 3.1

A place like a restaurant or café where people eat

is a specific small counterled snack place, not any eating venue
lunchroom
vsluncheonette
  • US
18 1.0

A room in a school or workplace where people can buy and eat lunch

is more public and institutional, whereas the key is a public snack counter
canteen
vsluncheonette
  • UK
14 2.4

A place in a school or workplace where people buy and eat food and talk to others

is institutional and routine, unlike the small public snack counter focus
snack bar
vsluncheonette
10 1.3

A small place where people buy and eat sandwiches and drinks

focuses on light quick counter service rather than full formal meals
greasy spoon
vsluncheonette
  • Informal
6 5.1

A small cheap restaurant that serves simple fried or grilled food

shares informality but usually serves lighter, less fried snack options
trattoria
vsluncheonette
5 6.0

A small informal Italian restaurant that serves simple traditional food

is more snack focused and oriented to quick counter service
caf
vsluncheonette
  • Informal
5 7.7

A small place that serves simple meals and drinks

is narrower, stressing light snack service at a counter
teahouse
vsluncheonette
4 2.7

A place where people drink tea and eat light food

is more casual and counter oriented rather than tea centred
brasserie
vsluncheonette
4 7.2

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

is less about drinks and more about quick light meals at a counter
tearoom
vsluncheonette
4 3.0

A small cafe that serves tea with light meals like cakes and sandwiches

is more casual and oriented to quick counter snacks rather than tea rituals
beanery
vsluncheonette
  • Archaic
2 7.4

A small cheap restaurant that serves simple food

matches the casual tone but focuses more on light snacks and counter service
eating house
vsluncheonette
  • Archaic
1 1.6

A place where people buy and eat meals, like a restaurant or café

is specifically small, informal, and counter oriented rather than any venue
snack counter
vsluncheonette
2.0

A small counter that sells light food and drinks

is similar but often emphasizes informal light meals rather than a bar setup
teashop
vsluncheonette
  • UK
1.0

A small place where you drink tea and eat light snacks

centres more on quick snack service at a counter than tea focus

How Formal

fine dining
14 3.9
restaurant
1.0
cafe
206 1.0
diner
  • US
211 1.0
luncheonette
  • Archaic
5 5.7
coffee stall
  • Indian
1.7

Surface Forms

luncheonette singular
luncheonettes plural

Morphology

luncheonette = luncheon (transparent) = luncheon + ette

Formed from 'luncheon' plus the diminutive suffix '-ette'; learners who know 'lunch' or 'luncheon' can readily infer 'a small place for luncheon.'

Etymology

The word luncheonette comes from luncheon, a form of lunch, plus the small-sounding ending -ette, which means 'little' or 'small', like in kitchenette. So a luncheonette is a 'small' place for light meals and snacks, often at a counter.