Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1800-1900
Origin: luncheon


1 noun
Related topics: Food
lunch1 S1 W2 [uncountable and countable]
1DF a meal eaten in the middle of the dayCOLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
eat (your) lunch have (your) lunch (=eat lunch) have something for lunch (=eat a particular food or dish at lunchtime) go out for lunch break for lunch (=stop doing something in order to eat lunch) be at lunch (=not be in your place of work because you are somewhere else having lunch) take somebody (out) to lunch working lunch (=a lunch during which you also do business) over lunch (=while eating lunch) packed lunch British English bag lunch American English (=food such as sandwiches that you take to work, school etc) light lunch (=a small meal at lunchtime) hot lunch (=cooked food, rather than sandwiches)
What's for lunch?
She ate a small lunch before the meeting.
Perhaps we could have lunch before you go.
I think I'll have soup for lunch.
The two women went out for lunch together.
I'm afraid he's at lunch until two.
I'll take you out to lunch next time I'm in town.
They're having a working lunch in Mr Savil's office.
A dozen senators met over lunch with the Chinese ambassador.
The walk is expected to last all day so bring a packed lunch.
a café serving light lunches and snacks
The kids get a hot lunch at school during the winter.
see usage note dinner

there's no (such thing as a) free lunch

used to say that you cannot get anything without working for it or paying for it

out to lunch

informal behaving or talking in a strange or crazy way

dinner, supper, tea, lunch
In Britain, the main meal of the day is dinner and it is usually eaten in the evening. Some people call this meal supper, but to others supper is a very small meal that is eaten just before they go to bed. Some people call this main evening meal tea, but to others tea is a small meal that is eaten in the afternoon.Some people use dinner to refer to the meal they eat in the middle of the day, but if you want to be clear that you are referring to this meal, use lunch.See also dinner




main course

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