late dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "late dinner" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a meal that is eaten later than usual, usually in the evening or at night. It can also refer to a dinner party or event that takes place later in the day. Example: After a long day at work, I arrived home to find my family preparing a delicious late dinner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If you must eat a late dinner, keep it light and avoid foods that tend to cause you indigestion.

The Washington Post

Late dinner.

The New York Times - Style

Wednesday night late dinner.

The New York Times - Style

They are usually famished, so everyone eats a late dinner.

The New York Times

Decide on Rattlesnake Ranch Cafe for a late dinner.

The New York Times

"And we'd wait for him for dinner; we were always having a late dinner.

The New York Times

Once safely outside, everyone headed to a restaurant on Forty-second Street for a late dinner.

The New Yorker

Moreover, it makes the wait until the late dinner hour more bearable.

The New York Times - Travel

On our first night in Berlin, our ambition was simply to find a late dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

I returned my skates and headed through St.-Jean Gate for a late dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The von Richthofen home was filled with art, European houseguests and late dinner parties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the reason for a "late dinner", provide context, such as "Due to the unexpected delay, we ended up having a "late dinner"". This provides a clearer picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "late dinner" when you mean skipping dinner altogether. "Late dinner" implies a meal consumed later than usual, not the absence of a meal. For the absence of a meal is preferable to use the expression "skip dinner" or "go without dinner".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "late dinner" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. For example, "We had a "late dinner" at a vegetarian place".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "late dinner" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a meal consumed later in the evening than usual. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Academia. When using "late dinner", ensure that you are referring to a meal that is simply delayed, not skipped altogether. Related phrases like "late supper" or "dinner at a late hour" can provide alternatives depending on the context. It's a common phrase that is readily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

late supper

Specifies that the supper is happening late.

delayed dinner

Focuses on the postponement of the dinner time.

evening meal

Emphasizes the time of day rather than the lateness of the meal.

dinner at a late hour

More formal and descriptive, emphasizing the unusual time.

supper

Highlights a lighter meal, potentially eaten late.

dinner past the usual time

Highlights the deviation from a typical dinner schedule.

meal after hours

Suggests a meal consumed outside normal eating times, potentially at a restaurant.

a repast in the evening

Replaces dinner with "repast" in the evening and changes the structure of the sentence.

midnight snack

Implies a very late, and often lighter, meal.

evening snack

Highlights a lighter meal, potentially eaten late in the evening.

FAQs

How can I use "late dinner" in a sentence?

You can use "late dinner" to describe a meal that is eaten later than usual, such as, "After the show, we went out for a "late dinner"." or "Because of the traffic, we had a "late dinner" at 10 PM".

What is another way to say "late dinner"?

Alternatives to "late dinner" include "late supper" or "dinner at a late hour", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it unhealthy to eat a "late dinner"?

Eating a "late dinner" may affect sleep and metabolism. Some studies suggest it can lead to weight gain and digestive issues, but this can vary depending on the individual and the type of food consumed.

What is the difference between "late dinner" and skipping dinner?

"Late dinner" implies that you are eating dinner, but at a later time than normal. Skipping dinner means you are not eating a dinner meal at all.