big meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big meal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a meal that is large in quantity or size, often implying it is substantial or filling. Example: "After a long day of hiking, we enjoyed a big meal at the local diner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dinner is the big meal.

The New York Times

Ms. Taylor cooked a big meal.

The New York Times

One is... he has a big meal coming up".

The New Yorker

"Thirty-five cents for a big meal," Miss Wheeler remembered.

The New York Times

The big meal of the day for us is lunch.

The New York Times - Magazine

He made a big meal of it in my opinion".

The Guardian - Sport

Do you have an ambition to try a big meal?

The Guardian

Recently I've started to eat one big meal (about 1400 calories) a day.

Columbia University

You cannot fix chronic malnutrition with a big meal later on in your life.

Harvard University

Now, after a lovely big meal there's a couple of things I just can't resist doing.

The New Yorker

"Couples tend to drink alcohol with meals and eat dessert after a big meal more often".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "big meal" to clearly convey the size or importance of a meal, such as during holidays or celebrations. This term is widely understood and easily relatable.

Common error

While "big meal" is acceptable in many situations, consider using more refined alternatives like "substantial repast" or "lavish banquet" in formal writing or sophisticated conversations to enhance the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big meal" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "big" modifies the noun "meal". It denotes a meal that is substantial in size or significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Lifestyle

21%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "big meal" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a substantial quantity of food consumed, often associated with special occasions. As Ludwig AI states, it's indeed correct and usable. Its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news and media, and lifestyle content. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "substantial repast" in sophisticated settings. The phrase is well-supported by numerous authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for conveying the idea of a large and often significant meal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial meal

Emphasizes the filling and nourishing aspect of the meal, focusing on its content and nutritional value.

hearty meal

Suggests a warm, comforting, and satisfying meal, often associated with traditional or rustic cuisine.

filling meal

Focuses on the meal's ability to satisfy hunger and provide sustenance.

feast

Implies a celebratory and abundant meal, often associated with special occasions or holidays.

huge dinner

Replaces "meal" with a specific time of day, focusing on the evening meal being large.

large repast

Repast is a synonym of meal, using this alternative can sound more formal or old-fashioned.

lavish spread

Focuses on the variety and abundance of dishes offered in the meal.

banquet

Suggests a formal and elaborate meal, typically held for a large group of people.

multi-course meal

Similar to "full-course dinner", it emphasizes the structure and variety of dishes in the meal.

full-course dinner

Highlights the structure of the meal, consisting of multiple courses.

FAQs

How can I use "big meal" in a sentence?

You can use "big meal" to describe a large quantity of food consumed at one sitting, such as "We had a "big meal" for Thanksgiving."

What can I say instead of "big meal"?

You can use alternatives like "substantial meal", "hearty meal", or "feast" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a big meal" or "an big meal"?

It is correct to say "a "big meal"" because "big" starts with a consonant sound, so the indefinite article "a" is appropriate.

What is the difference between "big meal" and "large meal"?

While both ""big meal"" and "large meal" are similar, "big meal" is often used to imply not just the quantity but also the importance or occasion, whereas "large meal" simply refers to the quantity of food.