Phrase guide

greasy spoon

noun · 2 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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1

noun

Meaning 1

An inexpensive diner or other informal restaurant, especially one specializing in frying or grilling.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • We found a good little greasy spoon down a side street.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a small restaurant specializing in short-order fried foods

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: restaurant, eating house, eating place, eatery

History

Etymology

American English, 1920s.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: kis koszos — inexpensive diner or restaurant
  • Latin: gānea — inexpensive diner or restaurant
  • Latin: gāneum — inexpensive diner or restaurant
  • Portuguese: podrão — inexpensive diner or restaurant