substantial meal

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial meal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a meal that contains a heavy or generous amount of food. For example, "I had a substantial meal at the restaurant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Three dishes make a substantial meal.

The New York Times

It did round out what was a truly substantial meal.

The New York Times

For a more substantial meal, serve with poached chicken or some simply cooked fish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is vegan-friendly, but also good with feta to make a more substantial meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An empty stomach: Eating a substantial meal before drinking alcohol will slow the absorption process.

Columbia University

Served with both plain white and brown rice, each dish made for a substantial meal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

He typically has five substantial meals a day.

The New York Times - Sports

We make substantial meals of soybean products, beans, nuts and seeds, supplemented with grains, fruit and vegetables.

The New York Times - Food

The larger grilled sandwiches, served on pressed, toasted baguettes with a small green salad, make surprisingly substantial meals.

The New York Times - Food

Simple en suite bedrooms cost from £20 a night, including three substantial meals a day (benedyktynki.eu).eu

The Guardian - Travel

A pile of old wood can be a palace for small mammals, while seedheads offer substantial meals to birds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial meal" when you want to emphasize that the meal is filling and provides significant nourishment or satisfaction. It's useful in contexts where the quantity or quality of the food is noteworthy.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial meal" in highly formal or business writing, as it can sometimes sound too casual. In such contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "significant repast" or "complete nourishment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial meal" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a common and acceptable phrase in English. Examples show it describing the kind of meal one might have before drinking or after strenuous activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Lifestyle

21%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Travel

6%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial meal" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a filling and nourishing repast. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in English. Analysis of various sources reveals that it frequently appears in News & Media and Lifestyle contexts, signifying a meal that is both satisfying and provides significant sustenance. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal settings, opting for more sophisticated alternatives. When writing, remember that "substantial meal" emphasizes the quality and quantity of the food consumed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filling meal

Focuses on the satiety provided by the meal.

satisfying meal

Emphasizes the contentment derived from the meal.

hearty meal

Suggests a meal that is wholesome and nourishing.

large meal

Refers to the quantity of food served.

complete meal

Implies a well-rounded meal with all necessary components.

heavy meal

Highlights the richness and density of the meal.

full course meal

Indicates a meal with multiple courses.

banquet

Suggests a very large and elaborate meal.

feast

Implies a celebratory and abundant meal.

square meal

Refers to a nutritious and satisfying meal.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial meal" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial meal" to describe a filling and satisfying repast, as in "After a long hike, we enjoyed a /s/hearty+meal" or "Eating a /s/substantial+meal before drinking alcohol will slow the absorption process".

What's a good alternative to "substantial meal"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "filling meal", "hearty meal", or "satisfying meal".

Is it correct to say "a substantial dinner"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. "Substantial" can modify various meals like breakfast, lunch, or dinner to indicate a large or satisfying quantity of food. For example, "I had a /s/substantial+breakfast this morning".

What does "substantial" really mean in the context of a meal?

When used with "meal", "substantial" implies that the meal is not only filling but also provides significant nourishment or satisfaction. It suggests more than just a light snack; it's a meal that meets one's needs for energy and sustenance.