Phrase guide

cover charge

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant where entertainment is provided.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The cover charge was pretty high, but the band was really good.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An amount of money added to a restaurant bill in lieu of tips, and to pay for uncharged items such as bread and water.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a fixed charge by a restaurant or nightclub over and above the charge for food and drink

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cover

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: fixed charge, fixed cost, fixed costs

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese: 入场费 (rùchǎngfèi) — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • German: Eintrittsgeld — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • German: Zugangsgebühr — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • Hungarian: belépő — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • Hungarian: belépődíj — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • Hungarian: belépti díj — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • Italian: ingresso — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • Japanese: テーブルチャージ (tēburu chāji) — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • Japanese: カバーチャージ (kabā chāji) — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • Norwegian: inngangspenger — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • Norwegian: entré — amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant
  • German: Gedeckzuschlag — amount of money added to a restaurant bill in lieu of tips
  • Hungarian: terítékdíj — amount of money added to a restaurant bill in lieu of tips
  • Hungarian: kuver — amount of money added to a restaurant bill in lieu of tips
  • Italian: pane e coperto — amount of money added to a restaurant bill in lieu of tips
  • Italian: coperto — amount of money added to a restaurant bill in lieu of tips