early dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "early dinner" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a meal that is eaten earlier than the usual dinner time. Example: "We decided to have an early dinner so we could catch the movie afterward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're also open for early dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

KIDS' CHOICE Sunday night is an early dinner.

The New York Times

I'm now leaning toward Wolfgang's for an early dinner.

The New York Times - Food

It can easily double as an early dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

EARLY DINNER Dinner at Elio's is the family time.

The New York Times

I had an early dinner and watched a film.

The Guardian

Back downstairs, for early dinner by the fire.

The Guardian - Travel

Time: A Friday evening, after an early dinner.

The New York Times

They were heading for their hilariously early dinner now.

The New Yorker

I like to go to Elizabeth's for an early dinner before the show.

The New York Times

A few hours later, we'd wake up, go out for an early dinner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning an evening activity, specify "early dinner" to ensure you have ample time without rushing.

Common error

Don't assume everyone understands what you mean by "early dinner". Specify the time, especially when coordinating with others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "early dinner" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "early" modifies the noun "dinner". It describes a specific instance of the noun, indicating the time at which the meal is consumed. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe scheduling or planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "early dinner" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a meal consumed before the typical dinner hour. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and other contexts. While seemingly straightforward, understanding its purpose and register can improve clarity in communication. Considering alternatives like "early supper" or "dine early" can provide variety, but it's essential to ensure shared understanding of timing, especially when coordinating plans. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early supper

Replaces "dinner" with "supper", which can sometimes imply a lighter or more informal meal, or be used regionally.

dine early

A more concise verb phrase expressing the act of eating dinner early.

dinner at an early hour

More formal and descriptive, specifying that the dinner is taking place at an earlier time.

having dinner ahead of time

Emphasizes the action of eating dinner before the standard time.

an earlier meal

A more general phrase, referring to any meal taken earlier than usual, but applicable to dinner.

premature dinner

Highlights the fact that the dinner is happening sooner than expected or normal.

dinner beforehand

Indicates that dinner is occurring before another event or activity.

dinner in advance

Similar to "dinner beforehand", emphasizing the advanced timing of the meal.

forenoon meal

While usually used for brunch, in certain context you may refer to a very early dinner. Very dependent on context.

previous dinner

Implying that dinner happened before another event in time.

FAQs

What is considered an "early dinner"?

An "early dinner" typically refers to a meal eaten earlier than the usual dinner time, generally between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, but the exact time can depend on personal preferences and schedules.

What can I say instead of "early dinner"?

You can use alternatives like "early supper", "dinner at an early hour", or "dine early" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an early dinner" or "a early dinner"?

It is correct to say "an early dinner" because "early" starts with a vowel sound, requiring the indefinite article "an" instead of "a".

Why would someone choose to have an "early dinner"?

People might opt for an "early dinner" to accommodate evening plans such as attending a show, going to bed early, or to align with specific dietary needs or health goals.