lunch

lunch

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "lunch" is /lʌntʃ/.

• /lʌntʃ/

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Word Form Variations

• Noun: lunch (singular), lunches (plural)

• Verb: lunch (base form), lunches (third person singular present), lunching (present participle), lunched (past simple, past participle)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• Definition 1: A midday meal, typically lighter than dinner or supper, eaten between breakfast and dinner.

• Synonyms: luncheon (more formal), midday meal, repast (formal/archaic), light meal

• Antonyms: breakfast, dinner, supper (as distinct meals)

• Definition 2: (Informal) A portion of food eaten at midday.

• Synonyms: packed lunch, brown-bag lunch, takeout lunch

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific nuance)

• Definition 3: The period of time during which lunch is eaten; lunchtime.

• Synonyms: lunchtime, midday break, break (for meal)

• Antonyms: work time, business hours, evening, morning

Verb

• Definition 1: To eat lunch.

• Synonyms: dine (informal for midday meal), take lunch, eat (midday meal)

• Antonyms: breakfast, dine (for dinner), snack (if not a full meal)

• Definition 2: To provide (someone) with lunch.

• Synonyms: feed, serve (lunch), host (for lunch)

• Antonyms: starve, deprive (of food)

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Examples of Use

Books:

• "They met for lunch at a small café near the Seine, discussing art and literature over croissants and coffee." (Fictional example from a romantic novel)

• "The politician often used campaign lunches as an opportunity to connect with local community leaders." (From a non-fiction book on political strategy)

• "During the break, students would eagerly unpack their packed lunches, sharing snacks and stories." (Fictional example from a school-themed novel)

Newspapers:

• "The business community expressed optimism after a productive working lunch with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance." ("Business Daily Africa,")

• "Local restaurants are offering special lunch deals to attract customers during the weekday rush." ("The Standard,")

• "Families often gather for a relaxed Sunday lunch at home, a tradition passed down through generations." ("Daily Nation,")

Online Publications:

• "Healthy lunch ideas for busy professionals: Quick and nutritious recipes." (An article on a health and wellness blog, e.g., "WebMD,")

• "Plan your perfect picnic lunch with our guide to portable and delicious recipes." (A food blog, e.g., "Food Network Online,")

• "The CEO announced that the company would lunch its new flagship product at an event in Silicon Valley next month." (A tech news report on "TechCrunch,") - Note: This is a common misspelling of "launch" when "lunch" is used, demonstrating a real-world error that sometimes occurs.

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "I'll have what she's having." (Dialogue from a diner scene in When Harry Met Sally..., 1989, often associated with the midday meal)

• Television Series: "For your next challenge, you must prepare a three-course lunch for a panel of celebrity judges." (Instructions on a cooking competition show, e.g., MasterChef)

• Song Lyrics: "No time for lunch, gotta keep on working, working on a dream." (From a song about dedication, metaphorical use)

• Video Games: "Your character needs to find food. It's time for lunch before your energy runs out." (In-game notification or objective, e.g., Stardew Valley)

• Podcasts: "In this week's segment, we discuss the politics of the power lunch in Washington D.C." (A podcast host discussing political culture, e.g., "NPR's The Daily")

General Public Discourse:

• "What's for lunch today?" (A very common question asked at midday)

• "Let's grab lunch together tomorrow, I know a great place." (A casual suggestion to a friend)

• "I packed my lunch today to save money." (A statement about meal planning)

• "Do you want to lunch at the office or go out?" (A question about where to eat the midday meal)

• "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse for lunch!" (A common exaggerated expression of hunger)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Lunch

1. “There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.” – Milton Friedman

2. “Lunch is for wimps.” – Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) in Wall Street

3. “Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.” – Orson Welles

4. “Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music, and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.” – Henny Youngman

5. “Success is a relative term. It brings so many relatives. And they all come for lunch.” – Unknown

6. “Never eat more than you can lift.” – Miss Piggy

7. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but there’s always dessert.” – Anonymous

8. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. So make sure you show up to lunch.” – Elizabeth Warren (paraphrased)

9. “Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast. Save your wit for lunch.” – Oscar Wilde

10. “Lunch breaks aren't just for food. They’re for pausing the madness.” – Unknown

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Etymology

The word "lunch" has a slightly complex and debated origin, but it generally refers to a midday meal. Here's a breakdown:

It's widely believed that "lunch" is a shortened form of the older word "luncheon."

Now, the origin of "luncheon" itself is where it gets a bit murky:

1. "Hunk" or "Slice" theory: One idea is that "luncheon" (and subsequently "lunch") originally meant a "thick piece," "hunk," or "slice" of food (like a "lunch of bacon"). This sense was recorded as early as the late 1500s (around 1570s for "luncheon," 1591 for "lunch" in this 'hunk' sense). Some etymologists suggest it might have connections to the Spanish word lonja meaning "slice."

2. "Noon Drink/Snack" theory: Another theory links "luncheon" to an even older Middle English word, nuncheon (or nonechenche), which meant a "light midday meal" or "noon drink." This word was a combination of "noon" and an old word for "drink" (schench).

So, while "lunch" initially meant a "hunk" of food around the late 1500s, its modern meaning of "a midday meal" didn't really become common until the early 19th century (around 1829). This shift coincided with the Industrial Revolution, as workers needed a quicker, lighter meal in the middle of a longer workday, leading to dinner being pushed later into the evening. "Luncheon" became more formal, and "lunch" became the everyday term.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Lunch

• Free lunch: Something obtained without effort or cost (often used in the negative "no such thing as a free lunch").

• Power lunch: A business lunch at which important decisions are made or discussed.

• Packed lunch/Boxed lunch: A meal prepared at home and taken to be eaten elsewhere.

• Lunch break: A period during the middle of the day for eating lunch.

• School lunch: A meal provided by a school, typically at midday.

• To eat someone's lunch: (Informal) To decisively defeat or outcompete someone.

• Grab lunch: To quickly get or eat a midday meal.

• Working lunch: A lunch during which work is continued or discussed.

• Quick lunch: A fast midday meal.

• Brown-bag lunch: A packed lunch, typically brought from home in a paper bag.

• To go to lunch: To take a midday meal. (Synonym for "to dine at midday")

• Midday repast: A formal synonym for lunch.

• A bite to eat at noon: A light meal taken around midday. (Synonym for "light lunch")

• Lunch date: A planned meeting for lunch, often for social or romantic purposes.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of lunch from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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