How Do You Spell DINNER?

Pronunciation: [dˈɪnə] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "dinner" is sometimes confusing because it contains the letter "n" twice in a row. The correct pronunciation is /ˈdɪnər/, with the stress on the first syllable. The double "n" is there because it's a result of the Old English spelling "dinnere" which used to refer to the main meal of the day. Over time, the second "e" was dropped, leaving us with the spelling we use today. Despite the tricky spelling, "dinner" remains an essential part of many people's daily routine.

DINNER Meaning and Definition

  1. Dinner is a noun that refers to a main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening. It is a term commonly used to describe the last or second-to-last meal of the day, when people usually gather together to consume a substantial amount of food. The word "dinner" can also denote the act of having this meal.

    Traditionally, dinner is often considered to be the largest and most formal meal of the day in many cultures. It usually consists of several courses, including appetizers, a main course, side dishes, and desserts. The specific foods served for dinner can vary greatly depending on cultural customs, personal preferences, and local traditions. In Western cultures, a typical dinner often includes staple food items such as meat or fish, vegetables, grains, and possibly fruits and dairy products.

    Apart from its literal meaning, the term "dinner" can also be used more broadly to refer to any evening meal, regardless of its size or formality. It can encompass various types of meals, including casual family dinners, formal dinner parties, or even simple grab-and-go dinners. The timing of dinner can vary among different individuals or cultures, but it is commonly eaten in the late afternoon or evening hours.

    In summary, dinner is the main meal of the day, usually consumed in the evening. It can be a formal, multi-course affair or a more casual gathering, and it often serves as a time for people to come together and share a satisfying meal.

  2. The principal meal; an entertainment; a feast.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DINNER *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DINNER

Etymology of DINNER

The word "dinner" comes from the Old French word "disner", which initially meant "breakfast" or "lunch". The Old French term was derived from the Latin word "disjējūnāre", meaning "to break one's fast" or "to have breakfast" (dis- meaning "apart" and jējūnāre meaning "to fast"). Over time, the meaning of "disner" shifted, and it came to refer to the main meal of the day, which eventually became the evening meal. This change in meaning likely occurred during the medieval period when the main meal was moved from midday to the evening.

Idioms with the word DINNER

  • a dog's breakfast/dinner The idiom "a dog's breakfast/dinner" is used to describe something that is extremely messy, disorganized, or chaotic. It can refer to a situation, a task, or even a person's appearance or behavior that is haphazard or poorly done. The phrase often implies that the subject is a complete mess or failure.
  • take sm out to dinner The idiom "take someone out to dinner" refers to the act of inviting and treating someone to a meal at a restaurant or a social gathering involving a meal.
  • all duck or no dinner The idiom "all duck or no dinner" means that a task or objective must be completed fully and successfully in order to receive any reward or benefit. It implies that partial effort or incomplete execution will not be rewarded.
  • a dog's dinner The idiom "a dog's dinner" is used to describe something that is badly or chaotically done, messy, disorganized, or of poor quality. It implies that the result is similar to a dog's messy and poorly prepared meal.
  • rubber chicken dinner The rubber chicken dinner is an idiom that refers to a bland or unappetizing meal, particularly one that is served at a formal or corporate event. It is often associated with banquets, conferences, or other similar occasions where the quality of food may be compromised due to mass production or budget constraints. The term "rubber chicken" is used metaphorically to represent the lack of taste or enjoyment derived from such a meal.
  • make a dog's dinner (of something) The idiom "make a dog's dinner (of something)" typically means to make a mess of or completely botch a task or activity. It implies a sense of incompetence or clumsiness in accomplishing something, often resulting in a chaotic or disorganized outcome.
  • take someone out to dinner The idiom "take someone out to dinner" means to invite or treat someone to a meal at a restaurant, usually with the intention of paying for their meal as a gesture of hospitality, friendship, or a romantic interest.
  • hand in your dinner pail The idiom "hand in your dinner pail" is an old-fashioned or informal way of saying someone has retired or quit their job. It refers to the action of someone who used to bring their own lunch pail or dinner pail to work, usually in jobs like mining or construction. When a person would "hand in their dinner pail," it meant they were finished with work and would no longer need to bring their lunch to the job. Therefore, the idiom signifies the act of ending one's employment or retiring.
  • a dog's dinner (or breakfast) The idiom "a dog's dinner (or breakfast)" is used to describe something that is in a complete state of disarray or chaos. It refers to a situation or object that is messy, disorganized, or poorly executed. The phrase is often used with a negative connotation, implying that something has been done haphazardly or without proper planning.
  • TV dinner The idiom "TV dinner" refers to a pre-packaged or easily prepared meal that is eaten while watching television. It originated from the term for a pre-cooked and frozen meal that was first introduced in the 1950s, specifically designed to be conveniently consumed in front of the television. Nowadays, the phrase is used figuratively to describe a meal that can be quickly and effortlessly prepared, often in a casual or informal manner.
  • hand in (one's) dinner pail The idiom "hand in (one's) dinner pail" is an informal expression that means to quit or retire from a job or occupation, often due to frustration, dissatisfaction, or the feeling of being overwhelmed. It implies surrendering, giving up, or admitting defeat. The phrase is derived from the act of manually turning in one's lunch pail or lunch box, historically used by workers to carry their meals, to signify the end of their work for the day or permanently.
  • dressed up like a dog's dinner The idiom "dressed up like a dog's dinner" is a colloquial expression used to describe someone who is excessively or flamboyantly dressed in a manner that is considered tacky, gaudy, or over-the-top. It suggests that the person's attire is mismatched, disorganized, or in poor taste, similar to how a dog's dinner might look with various random elements thrown together.
  • done like dinner The idiom "done like dinner" is an informal expression that means to be defeated, finished, or completely accomplished. It suggests that someone or something is in a state of finality or has reached its end.
  • be done like a dinner The idiom "be done like a dinner" is an Australian slang phrase that means to be thoroughly defeated, finished, or completely done for. It originates from the idea that when dinner is cooked and ready to be served, it is deemed complete and finished. Therefore, when someone or something is "done like a dinner," it signifies that they have been fully defeated or that their chances of success are entirely eliminated.
  • like a dog's dinner The idiom "like a dog's dinner" refers to someone or something that looks or appears messy, disheveled, or unattractive. It suggests that something is in a state of complete disorder or disarray.
  • dressed like a dog's dinner The idiom "dressed like a dog's dinner" is used to describe someone who is excessively and ostentatiously dressed, often in a flamboyant, extravagant, or bizarre manner. It implies that their attire is mismatched, ridiculous, or over-the-top, similar to how a dog's dinner (referring to a dog's food) would be messy and haphazard.
  • done like a dinner The idiom "done like a dinner" means that someone has been defeated or outwitted, usually in a competition or argument. It implies that the person has been completely beaten or rendered unable to continue, similar to how a cooked dinner is completely finished and no longer in its original state.
  • Dinner is served The idiom "Dinner is served" is an expression used to indicate that a meal is ready to be eaten or has been presented and is ready for consumption. It is often used in a formal or service-oriented setting to inform guests that the meal is ready to be enjoyed.
  • done like (a) (dog's) dinner The idiom "done like (a) (dog's) dinner" is typically used to describe someone or something that has been completely defeated or thoroughly humiliated. It suggests that someone or something has been thoroughly dominated or taken advantage of, much like a dog's dinner being consumed or devoured.
  • done up like a dog's dinner The idiom "done up like a dog's dinner" means to be excessively or elaborately dressed or styled, usually to the point of being flashy or ostentatious, but in a tasteless or unattractive manner. It implies that the person's appearance is excessive, overdone, or attention-seeking, resembling a dog's meal that may be messy or disorderly.
  • done up/dressed up like a dog's dinner The idiom "done up/dressed up like a dog's dinner" is used to describe someone who is overly dressed or styled in an exaggerated and flamboyant manner, usually to the point of being considered inappropriate, gaudy, or excessive. It suggests that the person's appearance is not tastefully done or well-received by others, akin to a dog's food bowl filled with a messy or unappetizing mixture.
  • be done like a (dog's) dinner The idiom "be done like a (dog's) dinner" means to be defeated or humiliated, often in a very thorough or complete manner. It is derived from the analogy of a dog being completely defeated and dominated by its meal, having no chance to resist or fight back. The idiom is typically used in informal or colloquial contexts to describe someone who has been thoroughly beaten or outperformed.
  • dinner basket The idiom "dinner basket" typically refers to a situation where someone or something is considered easy pickings or an easy target, similar to "shooting fish in a barrel." It can also imply someone who is helpless or vulnerable.
  • a dog’s breakfast/dinner A dog's breakfast/dinner is used to describe something that is messy, disorganized, or poorly done. It implies that something is a confusing or unsatisfactory situation.

Similar spelling words for DINNER

Plural form of DINNER is DINNERS

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