a dinner lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dinner lunch" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It seems to be a conflation of two distinct meal terms, "dinner" and "lunch," which refer to different times of day for meals. Example: "We decided to have a dinner lunch at the restaurant to celebrate our anniversary."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I love to host, be it a dinner, lunch or a party.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Slip them into a quiche for a great dinner, lunch or snack.

The New York Times - Health

The Jules Verne (33-1-45-55-61-44), on the second stage, is pricey; at least 100 euros a head for dinner; lunch menu is 65 euros.

The New York Times - Travel

The indoor restaurant has seating for 300, a VIP room, and serves dinner, lunch, and weekend brunch.

Wikipedia

Land-based diving vacations have a way of piling up an add-on here and there: a dinner, a lunch, a night dive, an extra dive, a night out and so on.

The New York Times - Travel

Ask them out on a dinner or lunch date.

WikiHow

It all started harmlessly enough--a dinner here, a lunch there or an occasional cocktail throughout the week.

Huffington Post

"I don't think I've been to a dinner or a lunch where it hasn't come up," Arianna Huffington, who writes and edits a popular blog and is a friend of Fields, says.

The New Yorker

If you find you cannot afford a dinner party, make it lunch.

The New York Times

But what about a casual dinner or lunch?

Huffington Post

This can be a good dinner or lunch if don't fry any eggs.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a dinner lunch". Instead, consider using "lunch or dinner" when presenting a choice between the two, or "brunch" for a meal that combines elements of both.

Common error

Do not combine the terms 'dinner' and 'lunch' directly, as it creates a nonsensical phrase. Choose the appropriate meal term or use a combination like 'lunch or dinner' to indicate a choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dinner lunch" attempts to combine two nouns, "dinner" and "lunch", but it does not form a standard or grammatically correct construction. Ludwig AI flags this as incorrect. It lacks a clear grammatical function in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a dinner lunch" is considered grammatically incorrect and not standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as such. It's a rare construction with limited practical use. When you want to express a meal that combines both, consider using established alternatives like "brunch" or presenting it as a choice between "lunch or dinner". Using clearer and more common language ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brunch

A meal that combines breakfast and lunch, implying a time between the two.

lunch or dinner

Expresses a choice between having lunch or having dinner, rather than combining them.

dinner or lunch

Similar to "lunch or dinner", this also offers a choice between the two meals.

a late lunch or early dinner

Suggests a meal consumed in the window between standard lunch and dinner times.

a midday meal

A general term for a meal taken in the middle of the day, potentially encompassing both lunch and an early dinner.

a combined lunch and dinner

A more explicit way to describe merging lunch and dinner into a single meal occasion.

dunch

A less common, humorous blend of 'dinner' and 'lunch'.

lupper

A portmanteau of 'lunch' and 'supper', implying a meal later than lunch but earlier than dinner.

a hearty lunch that serves as dinner

Indicates a substantial lunch intended to replace dinner.

a meal between lunch and dinner

Descriptively indicates a meal eaten in the time period between lunch and dinner.

FAQs

What does "a dinner lunch" mean?

The phrase "a dinner lunch" is not standard English and doesn't have a commonly understood meaning. It seems to combine the concepts of lunch and dinner, but it's grammatically incorrect.

How can I express the idea of a meal that's both lunch and dinner?

You could use the term "brunch" if the meal is eaten in the late morning or early afternoon. Alternatively, you can say "lunch or dinner" when offering a choice.

Is it ever correct to say "a dinner lunch"?

No, it's generally not considered correct. While language evolves, this particular combination doesn't have established usage and would likely confuse listeners or readers. Consider alternatives like "lunch or dinner".

What's the difference between "a dinner lunch" and "brunch"?

"A dinner lunch" is not a recognized term, while "brunch" refers to a meal eaten in the late morning, combining elements of both breakfast and lunch. If you're looking for a single word to describe a meal between lunch and dinner, consider using a descriptive phrase instead, such as "a late lunch or early dinner".