main dish

USAGE SUMMARY

"main dish" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a noun that refers to a course of a meal that is the largest and usually the most substantial. For example: "For dinner, we had pork chops as the main dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Starter and main dish €20.

The Guardian - Travel

The main dish was brought in.

The New Yorker

It's a great vegetarian main dish.

The New York Times

A favorite main dish was massaman curry with chicken ($13).

The New York Times

About $11 for a main dish and a soda.

The New York Times - Travel

The chicken qualified it as a main dish.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sometimes, the main dish is the one getting microwaved.

Independent

The Chilean sea bass was our favorite main dish.

The New York Times

Serve it as a main dish or as a side.

The New York Times

A $58.75 dinner special includes a main dish, drink, dessert and cover.

The New York Times - Travel

Almost all are offering main dish salads with low-fat dressing.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “main dish” in your menu descriptions to categorize items for easy customer navigation.

Common error

Avoid using "main dish" when a simpler term like "dinner" or "lunch" suffices; reserve it for situations where the specific course is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main dish" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific course in a meal. According to Ludwig AI, it’s a noun referring to the largest, most substantial part of a meal. Ludwig examples show it used in descriptions of restaurant menus and recipes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "main dish" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the most substantial course of a meal. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It appears frequently in various contexts, including news, media, wikis and scientific publications. While the phrase is versatile, it's best used when specifying a particular course is necessary, avoiding overuse in simple conversations. Related phrases such as "entrée" and "principal course" offer similar meanings. Understanding the nuances of "main dish" enhances clarity in culinary communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entrée

Refers to the primary course of a meal, often used in a more formal setting.

principal course

Highlights the significance of the dish as the most important part of the meal.

central plate

Emphasizes the dish's position as the focal point of the meal setting.

primary offering

Focuses on the dish as the main item being presented or served.

featured item

Highlights the dish as a special or noteworthy selection.

chef's special

Suggests a particular main dish prepared with extra care by the chef.

signature dish

Refers to a main dish that is particularly representative of a restaurant or chef.

centerpiece of the meal

Highlights the dish's importance as the most significant part of the dining experience.

highlight of the menu

Emphasizes the dish as a particularly attractive or appealing choice.

dish of the day

Indicates a specific main dish prepared and offered on a particular day.

FAQs

How can I use "main dish" in a sentence?

"Main dish" typically refers to the most substantial course of a meal. For example, "The "chicken was the main dish", accompanied by roasted vegetables."

What's a simple substitute for "main dish"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "entrée", "dinner", or "lunch" to refer to the same concept as "main dish".

Is it redundant to say "main entree"?

Yes, using both "main" and "entrée" together can be redundant as "entrée" already implies the main course. Simply using either "main dish" or "entrée" is clearer.

What's the difference between a "main dish" and a side dish?

The "main dish" is the primary and most substantial component of a meal, while a side dish is a supplementary item served alongside the main course.