What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
meal
Example
I had a delicious meal at the new Italian restaurant downtown. [meal: noun]
Example
We always have a family meal together on Sundays. [meal: noun]
Example
She cooked a three-course meal for her guests. [meal: noun]
table
Example
Please set the table for dinner. [table: noun]
Example
We all sat around the table and played board games. [table: noun]
Example
Let's put this idea on the table and discuss it further. [table: idiom]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Meal is a more common word than table in everyday language, as it is used to describe a basic human need. Table is more specific and less frequently used, but it can be employed in various contexts beyond food and eating.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between meal and table?
Both meal and table can be used in formal and informal contexts, but table may be more commonly used in formal settings, such as business meetings or negotiations, where it is used to represent a physical or social situation.
