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meal

[miːl]

meal Definition

  • 1an occasion when food is eaten, especially breakfast, lunch, or dinner
  • 2the food that is eaten on a particular occasion
  • 3a mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to domesticated animals

Using meal: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "meal" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    We had a delicious meal at the new restaurant downtown.

  • Example

    I usually have a light meal for lunch.

  • Example

    The meal was served with a side of vegetables.

  • Example

    The farmer gave the cows a meal of corn and soybeans.

meal Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for meal

Idioms Using meal

  • to exaggerate or overcomplicate something, often making it more difficult than it needs to be

    Example

    He made a meal of the instructions, taking twice as long to complete the task.

  • eat someone's meal

    to take advantage of someone or exploit them for personal gain

    Example

    He ate her meal by stealing her idea and presenting it as his own.

  • a nutritious and satisfying meal

    Example

    After days of eating junk food, I was craving a square meal.

Phrases with meal

  • home-cooked meal

    a meal prepared and cooked at home, typically from scratch

    Example

    I miss my mom's home-cooked meals.

  • three-course meal

    a meal consisting of three separate courses, typically an appetizer, main course, and dessert

    Example

    The restaurant offers a three-course meal for a fixed price.

  • a prearranged schedule of meals, often used in the context of dieting or nutrition

    Example

    The nutritionist created a meal plan for the athlete to follow.

Origins of meal

from Old English 'mǣl', meaning 'measure, set time'

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Summary: meal in Brief

The term 'meal' [miːl] refers to an occasion when food is eaten, or the food that is eaten on a particular occasion. It can also refer to a mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to domesticated animals. Examples include 'We had a delicious meal at the new restaurant downtown.' and 'The farmer gave the cows a meal of corn and soybeans.' Phrases like 'home-cooked meal' and idioms like 'make a meal of something' add nuance to the term.

How do native speakers use this expression?