copious meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "copious meal" is grammatically correct and is often used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, but primarily refers to a meal that is large in quantity and/or variety. Example: "After a long day of hiking, we were all famished and couldn't wait to indulge in a copious meal of grilled meats, salads, and desserts at the campsite."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

TOKYO, MARCH 30 -- Fearing banishment to the minors, Benny Agbayani shares copious meal of rice and Polynesian food with his sumo wrestler idol, Konishiki, who tells him to relax and do his best.

The New York Times - Sports

A few favorite African heads of state are always invited to G-8 summit meetings, and I've often been let into the club for a lively chat, a copious meal of promises and ambitious pledges, and a hearty round of preaching.

The New York Times

"Our farts were so smelly after the copious meal, we nearly suffocated," he told the Telegraph.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The title is taken from the Lunar Society, a discussion club that met monthly in Birmingham around the time of the full moon (thus ensuring light to get home by, after copious drink, meals and above all talk).

The New York Times - Books

Spanish social life is an endless round of weddings, baptisms, first communions, pub crawls with friends and late dinners with lively conversation into the small hours over the ruins of a copious, well irrigated, meal.

Huffington Post

The menu is divided into categories: specialties like game hen done sweet-and-sour and stuffed with lemon grass; dishes to share, including some from Issan, in northeastern Thailand, like spicy minced catfish salad; and copious one-dish meals involving noodles, including the Vietnamese cha ca la vong.

The New York Times - Food

It's also possible to get a good four-course meal and copious wine for £30 a head.

The Guardian - Books

Some regions expect lively, copious banter during the meal while others demand restraint.

Forbes

Harris, whose previous novels include "Pompeii" and the World War II thriller "Enigma," doesn't take the path of many other writers of historical fiction and provide copious, painstaking descriptions of meals, wardrobes, palaces and the like to summon a long-ago, far-away past.

The New York Times - Books

According to a study published Wednesday in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the bonnethead shark pairs its meaty meals with copious amounts of seagrass.

Vice

There they were met by refugee families, with whom they lived for five days, sleeping in their stucco-and-tented homes and sharing their simple couscous meals and copious glasses of sweet tea.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "copious meal" to vividly describe a meal that is not only large in quantity but also rich in variety and satisfaction. Consider the context; it works best when emphasizing abundance and indulgence.

Common error

Avoid using "copious meal" when simply referring to a regular-sized meal, even if it's satisfying. "Copious" emphasizes abundance and potential excess; using it inappropriately dilutes its impact and may sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "copious meal" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "copious" modifies the noun "meal". It's used to describe a meal characterized by its abundance, richness, and satisfying nature. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a large quantity and/or variety of food.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

HuffPost

12%

The New York Times - Sports

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "copious meal" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a meal abundant in quantity and rich in variety. While Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness, the phrase appears relatively infrequently in published writing. It tends to occur in neutral to slightly formal contexts, primarily within news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure you intend to emphasize the generous and satisfying nature of the meal, as alternatives like "abundant feast" or "lavish meal" can offer similar connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Abundant feast

Replaces "meal" with "feast" to emphasize a celebratory and rich dining experience; "abundant" is a synonym for "copious".

Lavish meal

Focuses on the richness and luxury of the meal.

Large repast

Uses "repast", a more formal synonym for "meal", and "large" to highlight the meal's size.

Bountiful spread

Emphasizes the generosity and abundance of the food.

Extensive spread

Shifts focus from a single meal to a variety of food items presented; "extensive" implies a wide range.

Substantial meal

Highlights the filling and satisfying nature of the meal.

Generous serving

Emphasizes the portion size provided in a meal.

Ample fare

Uses "fare" as a synonym for food and "ample" to suggest plenty.

Plentiful banquet

Highlights a formal and extremely abundant meal.

Huge feed

Offers a more informal way to describe a large meal.

FAQs

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

You can use "copious meal" to describe a large and satisfying meal, such as: "After the marathon, the runners enjoyed a "copious meal" to replenish their energy."

What is a synonym for "copious meal"?

Alternatives to "copious meal" include "abundant feast", "lavish meal", or "plentiful banquet", each suggesting a large and satisfying amount of food.

Is it appropriate to use "copious meal" in formal writing?

Yes, "copious meal" can be used in formal writing when you want to emphasize the abundance and richness of the meal. However, consider the context and audience to ensure it fits the tone.

What's the difference between "copious meal" and "large meal"?

While both describe a meal of considerable size, "copious meal" implies not only a large quantity but also a rich variety and satisfying quality. "Large meal" simply refers to the quantity of food.