a small feast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small feast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a modest meal or gathering that includes a variety of food items, often for a celebration or special occasion. Example: "For her birthday, we organized a small feast with close friends and family, featuring her favorite dishes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Afterward, they served a small feast in the woods.

The New York Times - Travel

The pot-au-feu is a small feast and, at $25, a great buy.

The New York Times - Food

After Mass, the clothed statue is seated in a tiny chair and placed in a spot of honor back home, where a small feast ends the day.

The New York Times

An example of this secrecy could be seen at a small feast held last weekend in the hills outside Reggio di Calabria.

The New York Times - Arts

My real brother!" A few calls and weeks later, Ruben drove his beat-up station wagon to Reading, where he and Ana celebrated with a small feast.

The New York Times

After their talk, Dzyubenko flung open the doors to the next room, to reveal a small feast of pastries, fruits, cold meats, cheeses, juice, and vodka that had been prepared in the American's honor.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And, at the same time, goodbye Bangalore, boring colonial cantonment whose name failed to honour the kind old woman who plumped up a hungry 14th-century king with a small bean feast.

The Economist

The constraints of fasting during Ramadan are followed by two festive holidays of: reward, the three‐day Small Feast and the four‐day Great Feast.

The New York Times

There are no elevators, so to get to some rooms you'll need to climb stairs, but this might help work off the small feast of coffee, bagels and more that is available every morning in a long, narrow dining area on the first floor.

The New York Times - Travel

The side dish of Baghali Ghatough stew, made with lima beans, Mirza Ghassmi eggplant, tomatoes, onion, eggs, dill and garlic juice combined into a perfect paste alongside traditional marinated olives add more color and distinct taste to our small feast.

HuffPost

Meanwhile, the small back gallery offers a minor feast of Bishopiana, assembled from Bishop's estate.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small feast" to convey a sense of intimate celebration without implying excessive extravagance. It suggests a carefully curated selection of food enjoyed among close company.

Common error

Avoid using "a small feast" when the meal is extremely simple or lacks variety. It's best suited for occasions where effort and thought have been put into the food, even if the scale is modest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small feast" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it describing a modest but special meal prepared for a specific occasion or celebration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

17%

Food

17%

Less common in

HuffPost

8%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small feast" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that describes a modest yet special meal, often for celebratory purposes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and applicability across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While it's not an extremely common phrase, it effectively conveys a sense of intimate celebration without implying excessive extravagance. Remember to use it when you want to describe a meal that is more than just a regular dinner, but not quite a grand banquet.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a modest banquet

Replaces 'feast' with 'banquet' to emphasize formality while retaining the small scale.

an intimate dinner

Focuses on the personal and close nature of the meal rather than the abundance of food.

a light repast

Substitutes 'feast' with 'repast' and 'small' with 'light' indicating a simpler, less extravagant meal.

a simple spread

Highlights the variety of food available while keeping the presentation uncomplicated.

a cozy meal

Emphasizes the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere surrounding the meal.

a humble celebration meal

Underscores the celebratory nature of the meal while acknowledging its lack of extravagance.

a petite buffet

Suggests a miniature version of a buffet, offering a selection of items in a limited quantity.

a dainty luncheon

Specifies the time of day and implies a refined and delicate meal.

a restrained culinary display

Highlights the artistic arrangement of food in a subtle and controlled manner.

a token celebratory meal

Indicates the meal is more symbolic of a celebration than a grand event.

FAQs

How can I use "a small feast" in a sentence?

You can use "a small feast" to describe a modest meal or gathering that includes a variety of food items, often for a celebration or special occasion. For example, "For her birthday, we organized a small feast with close friends and family, featuring her favorite dishes."

What can I say instead of "a small feast"?

You can use alternatives like "a modest banquet", "an intimate dinner", or "a light repast" depending on the context.

Is "a small feast" formal or informal?

"A small feast" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the informal side due to the word 'feast'.

What's the difference between "a small feast" and "a big feast"?

"A small feast" implies a modest and intimate meal, while "a big feast" suggests a large and elaborate spread with many guests and abundant food.