luncheonette

noun

lun·​cheon·​ette ˌlən-chə-ˈnet How to pronounce luncheonette (audio)
Synonyms of luncheonettenext
: a small restaurant serving light lunches

Examples of luncheonette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Several symbolic scenes, similarly unfolding in sinuous long takes—a ritualistic repetition of local habits at the junk yard, a formal dance of non-seduction at a luncheonette with a jukebox—lay bare the town’s ingrained and unyielding mores. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 What began in 1958 as a small luncheonette run by Brett Kelly's father and grandfather — selling ham sandwiches for a quarter — eventually grew into Kelly's Seafood, where four generations of the family have worked. — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 Maine’s oldest and smallest luncheonette, the Palace Diner—at only 15 stools—is arguably also its hardest walk-in. — Air Mail, 4 July 2026 While Fuller’s may now be surrounded by breweries and art galleries, the old-school luncheonette holds strong. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for luncheonette

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of luncheonette was in 1913

Rhymes for luncheonette

See All Rhymes for luncheonette

Browse Nearby Words

luncheon bar
luncheonette
luncheonless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Luncheonette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luncheonette. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

luncheonette

noun
lun·​cheon·​ette ˌlən-chə-ˈnet How to pronounce luncheonette (audio)
: a place where light lunches are sold

More from Merriam-Webster on luncheonette

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for luncheonette

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All