dinner-service
Definition
Noun: A set of matching dishes, plates, and other tableware items used for serving and eating a formal meal, typically dinner.
Usage Examples
- (A matching set of dishes for formal dining.)
- (Complete sets of tableware for serving meals.)
Advanced Usage
- "a twelve-piece dinner-service": a set containing twelve individual items, such as plates, bowls, and serving dishes.
- The wedding registry included a twelve-piece dinner-service. (A specific number of matching pieces for a full table setting.)
- "to break a dinner-service": to damage or crack part of a matching set.
- They accidentally broke a plate from the dinner-service. (Damaged one piece of the coordinated set.)
Variants and Related Words
- Dinnerware (n): a general term for dishes and utensils used for dining, often synonymous with dinner-service but not necessarily a matching set.
- We bought new dinnerware for the holiday party. (General dishes for serving food.)
- Tableware (n): all items used for setting a table, including plates, glasses, and cutlery.
- The store sells fine tableware for special occasions. (Broad category of dining items.)
Synonyms
- Dinner set: a matching collection of dishes for a meal.
- Crockery: earthenware or ceramic dishes, often used for everyday meals.
- Service set: a formal term for a coordinated collection of tableware.
Related Idioms
- "to put on a dinner-service": to set the table with a formal set of dishes for a special meal.
- For the anniversary dinner, they put on the best dinner-service. (Used the matching set for a formal occasion.)
- "a dinner-service of one's own": a personal or inherited set of dishes, often passed down through generations.
- She finally got a dinner-service of her own when she moved into her first apartment. (Own matching set of tableware.)