Meal - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A meal is a portion of food eaten at a specific time, such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It typically consists of multiple dishes or courses and provides nourishment.
Definition:
An occasion when food is eaten, or the food itself consumed at such a time.
Synonyms:
repast, feast, dinner, snack
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
fast, starvation
Common Collocations:
prepare a meal, cook a meal, serve a meal, enjoy a meal, skip a meal
Derivatives:
mealtime, mealtime(s), mealy
Usage Tips:
Use "meal" to refer to any regular eating occasion (breakfast, lunch, dinner) or the food served then.
Common Phrases:
square meal, make a meal of it, meal ticket
Etymology:
From Old English "mǣl," meaning fixed time or occasion for eating; related to Dutch "maal" and German "Mahl."
Examples:
- 1. We shared a delicious meal together.
- 2. She skipped her midday meal to finish work early.
- 3. The hotel offers complimentary meals for guests.
- 4. He cooked a simple but tasty meal for his family.