free meals

USAGE SUMMARY

"free meals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to meals that do not cost anything. For example, "My college offers free meals to all its students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Plus, I got free meals.

The New York Times

Restaurant workers get free meals.

The New York Times

Free meals disappeared from cattle class.

The New York Times

A restaurateur offered firefighters free meals.

The New York Times

Free meals, for example, free accommodation.

The Guardian

Free meals, shuttle buses and stock options are de rigueur.

The New York Times - Tech

Free meals are known as "on the arm".

The New York Times

Sister groups provide free meals in many other locations.

Independent

"There are no free meals anymore," he said.

The New York Times

She now gets free meals and clothing from churches.

The New York Times

But insurers could not offer free meals, whatever their value.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about initiatives providing food, use "free meals" to clearly communicate that the meals are offered at no cost to the recipient. This term is widely understood and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

In very formal writing, consider using alternatives like "complimentary meals" or "meals provided free of charge" to convey a more professional tone. Although "free meals" is correct, these options might suit specific audiences or contexts better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "free meals" functions as a noun phrase, where "free" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "meals". It describes the characteristic of the meals being provided without cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

19%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Huffington Post

5%

Vice

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "free meals" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that effectively conveys the concept of meals provided at no cost. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its prevalence across diverse contexts such as news, business, and general information indicates broad understanding and acceptance. While perfectly acceptable, consider context and audience when writing, and use alternative such as "complimentary meals" in formal situations. The phrase's clear and direct nature makes it a valuable tool for communicating the availability of cost-free food provisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complimentary meals

Replaces "free" with "complimentary", emphasizing the provision as a courtesy.

no-cost meals

Substitutes "free" with "no-cost", highlighting the absence of expense.

meals at no charge

Emphasizes the absence of payment required for the meals.

gratis meals

Uses the term "gratis", a more formal synonym for free.

unpaid-for meals

Highlights that the meals are not paid for by the recipient.

meals without payment

Focuses on the lack of financial transaction for the meals.

meals provided free of charge

A more descriptive alternative, stressing the zero cost to the recipient.

charity meals

Highlights the meals being given out of charity.

subsidized meals

Meal costs are partially or fully covered by another source.

sponsored meals

Implies that meals are provided due to sponsorship or donation.

FAQs

How can I use "free meals" in a sentence?

You can use "free meals" to describe situations where food is provided without cost, such as "The charity provides "free meals" to the homeless" or "The company offers "free meals" to its employees".

What can I say instead of "free meals"?

Alternatives to "free meals" include "complimentary meals", "no-cost meals", or "meals at no charge", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "meals are for free" instead of "free meals"?

While "meals are for free" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""free meals"" is the more common and natural phrasing. Using ""free meals"" is generally preferred in both spoken and written English.

What's the difference between "free meals" and "reduced-price meals"?

"Free meals" are provided at no cost, while "reduced-price meals" are offered at a lower cost than usual but still require payment. Eligibility criteria often determine who can receive either type of meal.