Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An employee of a coffee shop who prepares and serves coffee or other beverages containing coffee.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A person who serves behind the counter in a coffee shop.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Italian, bartender : bar, bar, café (from English bar; see bar) + -ista, -ist (from Latin -ista, -istēs, from Greek -istēs, agent n. suff).]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Loanword from Italian barista ("bartender"), cognate to bar + -ist ("person"), literally “bar person”; compare barman.

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Examples

  • There are so many things to make fun of at Starbucks: people talking on cell phones, annoying kids, the word barista, head lice, the fact there are thirty of you in line paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee while people are starving in Somalia.

    How To Be Funny JON MACKS 2003

  • There are so many things to make fun of at Starbucks: people talking on cell phones, annoying kids, the word barista, head lice, the fact there are thirty of you in line paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee while people are starving in Somalia.

    How To Be Funny JON MACKS 2003

  • There are so many things to make fun of at Starbucks: people talking on cell phones, annoying kids, the word barista, head lice, the fact there are thirty of you in line paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee while people are starving in Somalia.

    How To Be Funny JON MACKS 2003

  • There are so many things to make fun of at Starbucks: people talking on cell phones, annoying kids, the word barista, head lice, the fact there are thirty of you in line paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee while people are starving in Somalia.

    How To Be Funny JON MACKS 2003

  • There are so many things to make fun of at Starbucks: people talking on cell phones, annoying kids, the word barista, head lice, the fact there are thirty of you in line paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee while people are starving in Somalia.

    How To Be Funny JON MACKS 2003

  • There are so many things to make fun of at Starbucks: people talking on cell phones, annoying kids, the word barista, head lice, the fact there are thirty of you in line paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee while people are starving in Somalia.

    How To Be Funny JON MACKS 2003

  • Apparently, one Boston-area barista is fighting back.

    Starbucks: Shut Up, I'm Recording The Celtics Game! - The Consumerist 2008

  • Although accusing someone of working in Starbucks might be taken as an insult in the US, in Italy where the word barista originates it denotes a bartender, which of course is a noble and ancient profession.

    My First 'Hate' Email: A 'Chiropractic Doctor' Writes Jack of Kent 2009

  • A Starbucks worker told the Post she called a barista a bad name.

    The Seattle Times 2010

  • I hate the word barista, any time I go into a coffee place I always expect some stuffy guy with a funny accent and a huge goofy wig † to be behind the counter, and I'm invariably disappointed.

    How Now Brownpau 2009

Comments

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  • barista = bartender.

    June 24, 2008

  • Macche!

    June 24, 2008

  • Not in America, where baristas server coffee, and bartenders serve booze. From Wikipedia:

    In English jargon, the term "barista" refers to one who has acquired some level of expertise in the preparation of espresso-based coffee drinks. Within certain circles, its meaning is expanding to include what might be called a "coffee sommelier;" a professional who is highly skilled in coffee preparation, with a comprehensive understanding of coffee, coffee blends, espresso, quality, coffee varieties, roast degree, espresso equipment, maintenance, latte art, etc. Stephen Morrissey of Ireland is the current World Barista Champion.

    The word barista (plural: baristi masculine or mixed sex or bariste feminine) is of Italian origin. In Italy, a barista is a "bartender," who typically works behind a counter, serving both hot (such as espresso) and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

    October 12, 2008

  • Although, the terms come together at coffee bars.

    October 13, 2008

  • the person who serves coffee at the cafe or at the bar

    October 16, 2009

  • Can also be used as a verb, which means "to work as a barista".

    April 25, 2018