What is lunch? Pronunciation and usage in English

lunch means . Learn how to pronounce and use lunch through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of lunch

lunchnoun

/lʌn(t)ʃ/
Definition & pronunciation of lunch

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "lunch" in English. It's a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's the breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /lʌntʃ/ (rhymes with "punch")

Let's break that down further:

  • lʌn: This part is similar to the "lun" in "lunar". The "u" is a short sound, like in "cup."
  • ch: This is the same "ch" sound as in "chair" or "church."

Here's a more detailed guide:

  1. Emphasis: The primary stress is on the first syllable, "lʌn."
  2. Vowel Sound: The vowel sound in "lʌn" is similar to the "u" in "but" or "cut," but shorter and more open.
  3. Consonant Blend: The "ch" sound is a quick, single sound—not a drawn-out one.

You can hear it easily online! Here are some links to audio examples:

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Don't say "lunch" like "lanch." That's not how it's pronounced.
  • Don't stretch out the "u" sound too much. Keep it relatively short and crisp.

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Usage and examples with the word lunch in English

Let's break down how to use the word "lunch" in English. It's a really common word with a few different uses.

1. The Meal Itself:

  • Definition: "Lunch" is the midday meal of the day. It's typically eaten between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM, but times can vary depending on location and culture.
  • Examples:
    • "I'm going to grab lunch at the cafe." (meaning: I'm going to eat lunch at the cafe.)
    • "What did you have for lunch?" (asking about someone's midday meal)
    • "Let's have lunch together sometime." (inviting someone to eat together at midday)
    • "I packed a lunch for work." (meaning: I packed my midday meal)

2. "Let's have lunch" - A Social Invitation:

  • Meaning: When you say "Let's have lunch," you're inviting someone to eat with you around midday. It's a casual and friendly invitation.
  • Examples:
    • "I'm free this afternoon, let's have lunch."
    • "We should have lunch together next week."

3. As a Noun (Referring to what's eaten):

  • Meaning: Sometimes, "lunch" refers to what you eat for lunch.
  • Examples:
    • "I had a big lunch of pasta." (meaning: I had pasta for my midday meal)
    • "What’s on the lunch menu today?" (asking about the food options available for eating at midday)

4. Informal Phrases:

  • "Lunch break": This refers to the period of time during the workday when employees are allowed to take a break and eat lunch. "I'm taking my lunch break now."
  • "Lunchbox": A container, often a backpack-like one, used to carry food for lunch. "She packed a healthy lunchbox for school."

Here's a table to summarize:

Usage Meaning Example
The meal itself The midday meal "I'm going to have lunch."
Invitation To invite someone to eat together "Let's have lunch!"
Noun (food) The food eaten for lunch "I had a delicious lunch."
Phrase A break during work hours "My lunch break is at 1 pm."

Resources for more info:

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Synonyms for the word lunch

Idioms of the word lunch

out to lunch
(especially North American English, informal)behaving in a strange or confused way
    there’s no such thing as a free lunch
    (informal)used to say that it is not possible to get something for nothing

      Practice with vocabulary lunch

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. Let's schedule our follow-up meeting after _______ around 1:00 PM.
      2. We often take a short _______ to stretch our legs during long virtual conference calls.
      3. The company provides a subsidized _______ for all employees in the on-site cafeteria.
      4. For many cultures, the most substantial _______ of the day is typically consumed in the evening.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

      1. Which of the following terms refers to the midday meal, often taken during a work break? a) Breakfast b) Dinner c) Lunch d) Supper e) Mid-day meal

      2. Our team usually goes out for a working _______ on Fridays to discuss projects informally and build rapport. a) meeting b) lunch c) session d) get-together e) discussion

      3. Which of these refers to a small portion of food eaten between main meals, often to curb hunger? a) Brunch b) Supper c) Snack d) Feast e) Repast

      4. Which activities are typically associated with the main meal period in the middle of a workday? a) Having a coffee break b) Eating a packed lunch c) Grabbing a quick bite d) Attending a workshop e) Taking a lunch break

      5. When do people typically consume their main evening _______, which is often the largest meal of the day? a) Breakfast b) Supper c) Dinner d) Brunch e) Meal

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. Rewrite the sentence to use "lunch": We have our midday meal together every workday.

      2. Rewrite the sentence to use "lunch": The company provides a meal break for its employees at noon.

      3. Rewrite the sentence to use a suitable replacement word for "something small to eat": I need to quickly grab something small to eat before my afternoon meeting.

      Answer:

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. lunch
      2. break
      3. lunch
      4. meal

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. c) Lunch, e) Mid-day meal
      2. b) lunch, d) get-together
      3. c) Snack
      4. b) Eating a packed lunch, c) Grabbing a quick bite, e) Taking a lunch break
      5. c) Dinner, e) Meal

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. We have lunch together every workday.
      2. The company provides a lunch break for its employees. (or: Employees get a lunch break at noon.)
      3. I need to quickly grab a snack before my afternoon meeting.

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