Cool MateDinner vs Meal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
| Dinner | Meal | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening | Food that you eat at one time. |
| CEFR level | A1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Usage notes | Used to refer to the main meal, often in a social or family setting. Not typically used to describe lunch or breakfast. | Use 'meal' in common situations related to eating. It can refer to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This term is appropriate in any context when talking about food. |
Frequently asked questions: Dinner vs Meal
What's the difference between "Dinner" and "Meal"?
"Dinner" means: the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening "Meal" means: Food that you eat at one time.
When should I use "Dinner" and "Meal"?
They can all be used in everyday English.
Are "Dinner" and "Meal" the same CEFR level?
"Dinner" is at A1, "Meal" is at A1 on the CEFR scale.