wait staff

Meaning

This collective noun refers to the group of employees who serve customers at their tables in a restaurant, including waiters and waitresses. It is a gender-neutral, professional term commonly used in the hospitality industry.

Examples

• The wait staff at this hotel restaurant is incredibly attentive and polite.

  The wait staff at this hotel restaurant is incredibly attentive and polite.

• We tipped the wait staff generously because the service was outstanding.

  We tipped the wait staff generously because the service was outstanding.

• During the busy weekend rush, the wait staff worked tirelessly to serve everyone.

  During the busy weekend rush, the wait staff worked tirelessly to serve everyone.

• If you need more water, you can ask any member of the wait staff.

  If you need more water, you can ask any member of the wait staff.

• The restaurant is currently hiring experienced wait staff for the summer season.

  The restaurant is currently hiring experienced wait staff for the summer season.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The wait staffs were very friendly.

  ✓ The wait staff was very friendly.

  'Staff' is a collective noun and is already plural in meaning, so it does not take an 's' in this context.

• ✗ I need to call a wait staff.

  ✓ I need to call a member of the wait staff.

  'Wait staff' refers to the whole group. To refer to a single person, use 'server', 'waiter', 'waitress', or 'member of the wait staff'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The restaurant's policy is to share all tips equally among the ___.

  💡 The group of people serving the tables.

  Show answer

  wait staff

• A helpful member of the ___ guided us to our table and took our coats.

  💡 The restaurant servers as a collective group.

  Show answer

  wait staff