a whole dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a whole dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the entirety or completeness of a dinner, often in contrast to a smaller meal or portion. Example: "After a long day at work, I was so hungry that I devoured a whole dinner by myself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"The interest I've had in this concept has convinced me that its informality and conviviality, where you can have just one dish or a whole dinner, is the way people want to eat today," he said.

The New York Times - Food

By about the middle of the 18th century, an ever-widening variety of articles was being made: the pewterers were able to supply anything from a spoon to a whole dinner service, including mustard pots, sauceboats, and spoons for serving punch.

Encyclopedia Britannica

9. Make a whole dinner from the vegetables and herbs I grew in the garden garden.

Huffington Post

You can do more than that: you can work your way through a whole dinner based on the products of the farm, and the cooking traditions of the region.

Huffington Post

A setback on "Catastrophe" consisted of Sharon obsessing about Rob's perky ex, so Sharon did her hair differently and tried to act nonchalant about it for a whole dinner scene; it was quietly hilarious.

Huffington Post

You don't really want to sit through a whole dinner conversation with this guy, although you'd be more than happy to grab a late night drink... "I call my Hot Sex Prospect my '13-year-old poster boy,' because I haven't been so giddy and day-dreamy since photos of *NSYNC covered my walls in the 90's.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

You could plan a whole dinner-and-a-movie night without ever typing or going back to your homescreen.

TechCrunch

a can of beans, a canned whole dinner, a canned soup, & a canned chicken a la king.

The New Yorker

Rather than pulling apart the entire roll with your hands or taking a bite from the whole dinner roll, separate one piece and put it into your mouth.

Huffington Post

Before, my grandmother used to make a whole Christmas dinner and then a whole separate Indian dinner for my dad and my uncle, because neither of them could stomach Christmas dinner.

The Guardian

We'd make dinner and he'd go into a rage and throw away the whole dinner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a whole dinner" to emphasize the completeness of a meal, contrasting it with a snack or a partial dish. For example, "I ate "a whole dinner" after skipping lunch."

Common error

Avoid using "a whole dinner" when referring to just the main course. This phrase implies a complete meal including appetizers, sides, and dessert.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a whole dinner" functions as a noun phrase that refers to a complete meal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it emphasizes the entirety or completeness of the dinner, differentiating it from a snack or a partial meal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a whole dinner" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to refer to a complete and substantial meal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it emphasizes completeness and is suitable for diverse contexts, mostly appearing in news and media sources. While alternatives like "a complete meal" or "a full course dinner" exist, "a whole dinner" effectively conveys the idea of a comprehensive dining experience. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the entirety of the meal, including multiple courses, and aim for a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an entire dinner

Similar, using 'entire' instead of 'whole' for emphasis.

a complete meal

Focuses on the completeness of the meal, implying it includes all necessary courses.

a full course dinner

Highlights the presence of multiple courses, making it a substantial meal.

a substantial meal

Emphasizes the quantity and filling nature of the dinner.

a multi-course meal

Similar to a full course dinner, emphasizing the variety of dishes served.

a complete dining experience

Broadens the scope to include ambiance and service, not just the food itself.

a feast

Suggests an abundant and elaborate meal, often for a special occasion.

a well-rounded dinner

Suggests a balanced meal with diverse nutrients and food groups.

a formal dinner

Implies a structured and possibly elaborate meal with specific etiquette.

a home-cooked meal

Emphasizes that the meal was prepared at home, suggesting a sense of comfort and care.

FAQs

How can I use "a whole dinner" in a sentence?

You can say, "She prepared "a whole dinner" for the family", implying a complete and substantial meal.

What's the difference between "a whole dinner" and "a full dinner"?

While both phrases suggest a complete meal, "a whole dinner" may emphasize the quantity or completeness of the meal more strongly than "a full dinner".

What can I say instead of "a whole dinner"?

You can use alternatives like "a complete meal", "a full course dinner", or "a substantial meal" depending on the context.

Is "a whole dinner" formal or informal?

"A whole dinner" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the style and content of the rest of the sentence.