friendly lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "friendly lunch" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a casual meal shared with friends or acquaintances in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. For example, "We had a friendly lunch at the new café downtown." Alternative expressions include "casual lunch" and "informal lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But what started with a friendly lunch has now ended with Goldman paying a $50 million penalty and the applicant facing prison time.

The New York Times

David Wells expected merely a friendly lunch when he accepted George Steinbrenner's invitation to get together last Monday in Tampa, Fla.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, that "friendly" lunch evolved into a four-hour freewheeling thrust-and-parry session in which Dr. Anderson deftly countered challenges to his beliefs.

The New York Times

The two haven't seen each other in eight months when the novel begins, and their ostensibly friendly lunch lapses into a tryst.

The New York Times - Books

£12, amazon 1. Concentrate Fruit  Friendly lunch box It started out as an idea on Dragons' Den, and it's easy to see why this lunch box is now stocked by John Lewis.

Independent

RAWDAT KHURAYIM, Saudi Arabia — The king of Saudi Arabia had Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton over for a friendly lunch Monday here at his desert camp, northeast of Riyadh.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The vegetarian-friendly lunch menu offers salads, panini and espresso; the cafe also serves breakfast.

The New York Times - Travel

What I do proffer is this: A child- and adult-friendly lunch menu that hasn't failed me yet.

The New York Times - Food

Staples has rows of eco-friendly lunch containers, like an Extreme flap lunchbox case with a compartment for plastic food boxes, and a Yak Pak lunch tote that looks like a purse.

The New York Times

The parents (what to do when the Tupperware runs out?). "Ziplocs are the biggest misstep," said Julie Corbett, a mother in Oakland, Calif., whose two girls attend a school with an eco-friendly lunch policy.

The New York Times

Another of his bars, Cebu in Bay Ridge, features a child-friendly lunch hour with a play area, but he said Greenwood Park's spacious outdoor area seemed to call for an especially family-friendly atmosphere.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a social or professional interaction, use "friendly lunch" to convey a relaxed and positive atmosphere. It suggests more than just eating; it implies building rapport.

Common error

Avoid using "friendly lunch" in highly formal business reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional terms like "business luncheon" or "informal meeting over lunch" to maintain the appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friendly lunch" functions as a noun phrase, where "friendly" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "lunch". It describes the type of lunch.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "friendly lunch" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered noun phrase, used to describe a pleasant and amiable midday meal. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, "friendly lunch" serves to paint a picture of a relaxed meal focused on positive interactions, differentiating itself from more formal meals like a "business lunch". When writing, bear in mind that while widely acceptable, it may not suit intensely formal or academic contexts, where alternatives may prove more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convivial lunch

Emphasizes the social and cheerful aspect of the lunch.

amiable luncheon

Replaces "friendly" with "amiable" and "lunch" with the more formal "luncheon".

good-natured lunch

Emphasizes the positive and kind atmosphere during the meal.

pleasant midday meal

Substitutes both words to focus on the positive and temporal aspects.

informal lunch gathering

Highlights the relaxed nature and group aspect of the occasion.

agreeable lunch

Stresses the pleasant nature of the lunch experience.

cordial repast

Uses "cordial" to highlight the warmth and "repast" as a refined alternative to "lunch".

relaxed lunch

Focuses solely on the laid-back atmosphere of the lunch.

casual lunch meeting

Adds the element of a meeting while maintaining the informality of the lunch.

warm lunch

Highlights the welcoming and comforting aspect of the lunch.

FAQs

How can I use "friendly lunch" in a sentence?

You can use "friendly lunch" to describe a casual and pleasant midday meal shared with someone, for instance, "We had a "friendly lunch" to discuss the project in a relaxed setting."

What's a good alternative to "friendly lunch"?

Alternatives include "casual lunch", "informal lunch", or if the context is professional, a "business luncheon" depending on the setting and the relationship between the people involved.

Is "friendly lunch" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "friendly lunch" is generally better suited for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "business luncheon" or "informal meeting over lunch".

What's the difference between "friendly lunch" and "business lunch"?

A "friendly lunch" suggests a casual and relaxed meal focused on personal connection, while a "business lunch" implies a more formal setting with a specific agenda or professional purpose.