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Dinner Meaning, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：main evening meal (dinner)

dinner 🔊

/ˈdɪnər/

The main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening. It's often the biggest and most relaxed meal, when families or friends gather together.

main evening meal 🔊

➕

/meɪn ˈiːv.nɪŋ miːl/

The primary meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening, often shared with family or friends.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'disjejunare' (break fast); originally breakfast, later main meal.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'DINNER' = Dine + Inner, as in gathering your inner circle for a hearty meal.

📖 Example

My family always sits together at the dinner table to share stories about our day. 🔊 My family always sits together at the dinner table to share stories about our day.

🔗 Collocations

have dinner – to eat the main evening meal

dinner party – a social event where people eat dinner together

dinner plate – the plate used for serving the main course

🔄 Synonyms

supper (n.) – an evening meal, often lighter than dinner

evening meal (n.) – the meal eaten in the evening

main meal (n.) – the most substantial meal of the day

🚫 Antonyms

breakfast (n.) – the first meal of the day, usually eaten in the morning

lunch (n.) – a meal eaten in the middle of the day

🌱 Derivatives

dinnertime (n.) – the time at which dinner is eaten

dinnerless (adj.) – without dinner

dinnerware (n.) – dishes and utensils used for serving dinner

📖 Cultural Story

Evolved from Latin 'disjejunare' (to break fast). In medieval times, dinner was the midday meal; as work schedules shifted, it moved to evening in modern English culture.

Meaning 2：formal evening event (dinner)

dinner 🔊

/ˈdɪnər/

A formal evening meal for a special occasion, often with a specific purpose like celebrating or socializing. It's more than just eating; it's an event.

Formal dinner event with guests at table

formal evening event 🔊

➕

/ˈfɔːr.məl ˈiːv.nɪŋ ɪˈvent/

A formal evening meal organized for a special purpose, such as celebration or networking, often held in an elegant setting.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She wore her best dress to the company's annual dinner at a fancy hotel. 🔊 She wore her best dress to the company's annual dinner at a fancy hotel.

🔗 Collocations

award dinner – a formal dinner where awards are presented

charity dinner – a formal dinner held to raise money for a cause

dinner speech – a speech delivered during a formal dinner

🔄 Synonyms

banquet (n.) – a large formal meal for many people, often with speeches or entertainment

gala (n.) – a festive social event that often includes dinner and entertainment

feast (n.) – a large, elaborate meal, especially one celebrating something

🚫 Antonyms

snack (n.) – a small, informal amount of food eaten between meals

buffet (n.) – a casual meal where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes

🌱 Derivatives

dinner jacket (n.) – a formal suit jacket worn at evening events

dinner bell (n.) – a bell rung to announce the start of dinner