dinner

Everyday

1. Dinner is the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening. tree →
2. In some parts of the UK, Ireland and Australia, dinner means the meal in the middle of the day (lunch), and the evening meal is «tea». tree →
3. A dinner is a formal party with a meal. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, «dinner time» brings families together, and table manners matter: wash hands, wait until everyone has food, say please and thank you. At school in the UK «school dinners» and «dinner ladies» are the lunchtime meal and helpers. Phrases: «have dinner», «make dinner», «dinner is ready», «dinner party».

Examples

• What's for dinner tonight? tree →
• We have dinner at six o'clock. tree →
• Wash your hands before dinner. tree →
• Dad is making spaghetti for dinner. tree →
• I had school dinner today. tree →
• Grandma invited us to Sunday dinner. tree →
• Please set the table for dinner. tree →
• They went out for a birthday dinner. tree →
• For dinner the Fox served soup. tree →

Note

Usually no «a»: «have dinner», «after dinner»; but «a lovely dinner» with an adjective. Spelled with double n; do not confuse with «diner» (a person eating, or a small US restaurant). Meal words differ by country: breakfast, lunch/dinner, tea/dinner/supper.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means a simple meal, not a formal party. The Hebrew word is often taken to mean a modest portion or daily meal.

Interpretation. The proverb teaches that a poor meal eaten in love is better than a rich feast eaten in hatred, so peace at home matters more than wealth.

Examples

• Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. (Writings PRO.15.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Usually no «a»: «have dinner», «after dinner»; but «a lovely dinner» with an adjective. Spelled with double n; do not confuse with «diner» (a person eating, or a small US restaurant). Meal words differ by country: breakfast, lunch/dinner, tea/dinner/supper.