bartender

[bahr-ten-der] / ˈbɑrˌtɛn dər /

NOUN

one who serves drinks at a bar

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barkeep barkeeper mixologist tapster

STRONG

alewife barmaid barman publican tapper taverner victualler

WEAK

boniface butler soda jerk steward vintner

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the Virginian, a dimly lit dive bar with dollar bills plastered to the wall, bartender Joshua Roche was pouring beers Thursday for a rowdy group that included one active-duty and two retired Marines.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Back in the Catman Cafe in Mansfield, Mass., where Boldy’s mom Jen works as a bartender, the crowd came to its feet and cheered.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

Two middle-aged Americans, matching orange ringlets marking them as brothers, quizzed the bartender about cask types and chill filtration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

He added that despite having a full-time job with good pay, he has also worked a second job as a bartender and attempted to start multiple small businesses to supplement his income.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 10, 2026

Ignatius looked over at the bar to try to attract some sort of service and caught the eye of the bartender who had served his mother and him.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole