dinner-time
Definition
- Noun:
- The usual time for the main meal of the day: "dinner-time" refers to the specific period during which the principal meal (dinner) is typically eaten. This can vary by culture, often occurring in the evening but sometimes in the middle of the day.
Usage Examples
- (The customary hour for the main daily meal.)
- (The period shortly before the main meal is served.)
- (The moment when dinner is to be eaten.)
Advanced Usage
- "around dinner-time": approximately during the period when dinner is usually eaten.
- Please arrive around dinner-time so we can eat together. (Come near the usual hour for the main meal.)
- "by dinner-time": no later than the time dinner is served.
- I need to finish this work by dinner-time. (Complete the task before the evening meal.)
Variants and Related Words
- Dinner (n): the main meal of the day, eaten either at midday or in the evening.
- We had a roast chicken for dinner. (The principal meal of the day.)
- Tea-time (n): a time for a light meal or snack, often in the late afternoon (chiefly British).
- Biscuits and tea are served at tea-time. (The period for an afternoon snack.)
- Lunchtime (n): the time at which lunch is eaten.
- The office closes for lunchtime. (The midday meal break.)
Synonyms
- Mealtime: a general term for any regular time for eating a meal.
- Supper-time: the time for the evening meal (often a lighter meal than dinner).
- Feeding time: informal, used especially for animals or very young children.
Related Idioms
- Not enough time to eat dinner: a phrase meaning a very short period or a rushed schedule.
- With all these meetings, I don't have enough time to eat dinner. (I am extremely busy.)
- Dinner-time chatter: casual conversation that occurs during the main meal.
- Their dinner-time chatter often includes stories from work. (Light talk at the dinner table.)