dinner

/'dinə/

Thân thiện

A family sits together for a Sunday dinner.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The main meal of the day: "Dinner" is the principal meal, which can be eaten either in the evening or, in some traditions, around midday.
   • A formal evening meal or social gathering: "Dinner" can also refer to a formal event where a meal is served, often for a special occasion or to entertain guests.

Examples of Usage

• As the main meal:
  • We usually have dinner at 7 PM.
  • On Sundays, they had a large dinner when they returned from church.
• As a formal meal or event:
  • The company is hosting its annual dinner next week.
  • Guests should never be late to a dinner party.

Advanced Usage

• "to be at dinner": to be in the process of eating the main meal.
  • Please call back later; they are at dinner right now.
• "to give a dinner": to host a formal meal for guests.
  • They gave a dinner to celebrate their anniversary.

Variants and Related Words

• Dinner party (n): A social gathering at which a dinner is served.
  • We were invited to an elegant dinner party.
• Dinnertime (n): The usual time at which dinner is eaten.
  • Dinnertime in our house is 6:30.

Synonyms

• Supper: Often used interchangeably with "dinner," especially for an evening meal.
• Feast: A large and elaborate meal, often for a celebration.
• Banquet: A large formal meal for many people, often followed by speeches.

Related Phrases

• Dinner table (n): The table where dinner is eaten.
  • Important family discussions happen around the dinner table.
• Dinner bell (n): A bell rung to signal that dinner is ready.
  • When the dinner bell rang, all the children came running.

Idioms

• "A dog's dinner": A mess or a very untidy situation (British English idiom).
  • He made a real dog's dinner of fixing the sink.
• "Done like a dinner": Thoroughly defeated or finished (informal idiom).
  • After the final argument, he was done like a dinner.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a party of people assembled to have dinner together
   • guests should never be late to a dinner party
2. the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
   • dinner will be at 8
   • on Sundays they had a large dinner when they returned from church

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dinner party