dinner

/ˈdɪnə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɪnər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdi-nər/ (ame, mw)

dinner — noun

  • dinnersingular
  • dinnersplural

1. the most substantial meal people have each day, which in many cultures is served

1.名詞A1
釋義

the most substantial meal people have each day, which in many cultures is served during the evening hours; speakers of British English sometimes use the word for a meal eaten at noon

例句

Chiara invited us over for dinner at her apartment on Saturday evening.

collocation: for dinner

What time does your family usually have dinner — around six or seven?

collocation: have dinner

同義詞
  • supper

    also an evening meal, but often lighter and more informal than dinner; more common in some US and UK regions

  • meal

    a general term for any eating occasion; dinner is one type of meal

  • tea

    informal British term for the main evening meal, common in working-class and northern English usage

反義詞
  • breakfast

    the first meal of the day, eaten in the morning

  • snack

    a small, light amount of food eaten between meals

文法句型

have + dinner

for + dinner

at + dinner

用法筆記

In most varieties of English, dinner refers to the evening meal. Learners should be aware that in British English, especially in northern England and among some working-class families, dinner can refer to the midday meal (which others call lunch). The evening meal in those households is often called tea or supper.

常見錯誤

❌I usually eat dinner at 12:30 p.m. with my coworkers.
✅I usually have lunch at 12:30 p.m. with my coworkers.
💡For most English speakers, dinner is the evening meal; use lunch for midday.

2. a planned social occasion that takes place in the evening, where guests are serv

2.名詞B1
釋義

a planned social occasion that takes place in the evening, where guests are served a meal, typically as part of a celebration or to mark an important event

例句

The charity dinner raised over fifty thousand dollars for the local hospital.

collocation: charity dinner

Valentina wore a long dress to the awards dinner at the Grand Hotel.

collocation: awards dinner

同義詞
  • banquet

    a large, lavish formal meal, usually for many guests; stronger sense of luxury and ceremony than dinner

  • feast

    a large meal with abundant food, often for celebration; suggests abundance and festivity

  • reception

    a social event where drinks and light food are served, typically less meal-focused than a dinner

文法句型

hold + a + adj + dinner

attend + a + adj + dinner

a + noun + dinner

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (the everyday meal), this sense is always countable and typically modified by an adjective (formal, charity) or noun (awards, state) that describes the type of event. The phrase 'a dinner' in this sense implies a special, organised occasion rather than a routine meal.

常見錯誤

❌I am going to a dinner with my family tonight at 7 p.m.' (sounds like a formal event for a routine family meal)
✅I am having dinner with my family tonight at 7 p.m.
💡Use 'have dinner' without an article for the everyday meal; reserve 'a dinner' for formal/special occasions.