A1 noun Neutral #4,531 most common

dinner time

/ˈdɪn.ə taɪm/

Dinner time is the period of the day when people usually eat their main meal, typically in the evening. It can also refer to the specific clock time when a family or group sits down to eat together.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Our dinner time is usually at 7:00 PM every night.

Our dinner time is usually at 7:00 PM every night.

2

Please ensure you arrive at the hall by the scheduled dinner time of 8:00 PM.

Please ensure you arrive at the hall by the scheduled dinner time of 8:00 PM.

3

Is it dinner time yet? I am really hungry!

Is it dinner time yet? I am really hungry!

Word Family

Noun
dinner
Verb
dine
Adjective
dining
Related
diner
💡

Memory Tip

Remember the 'D' in Dinner is for 'Dark'—it's the meal you eat when the sky gets dark outside.

Quick Quiz

Wash your hands because it is ______ now.

Correct!

The correct answer is: dinner time

Examples

1

Our dinner time is usually at 7:00 PM every night.

everyday

Our dinner time is usually at 7:00 PM every night.

2

Please ensure you arrive at the hall by the scheduled dinner time of 8:00 PM.

formal

Please ensure you arrive at the hall by the scheduled dinner time of 8:00 PM.

3

Is it dinner time yet? I am really hungry!

informal

Is it dinner time yet? I am really hungry!

4

Research shows that regular dinner time routines can improve family communication.

academic

Research shows that regular dinner time routines can improve family communication.

5

We can continue our meeting during dinner time at the hotel restaurant.

business

We can continue our meeting during dinner time at the hotel restaurant.

Word Family

Noun
dinner
Verb
dine
Adjective
dining
Related
diner

Common Collocations

around dinner time around dinner time
fixed dinner time fixed dinner time
at dinner time at dinner time
miss dinner time miss dinner time
prepare for dinner time prepare for dinner time

Common Phrases

It's dinner time!

It's dinner time!

Call me at dinner time.

Call me at dinner time.

What's for dinner?

What's for dinner?

Often Confused With

dinner time vs lunch time

Lunch time is the meal in the middle of the day, while dinner time is usually in the evening.

📝

Usage Notes

The term can be written as two words (dinner time) or one word (dinnertime). In some regions, 'dinner' might refer to a large midday meal, but in modern English, it almost always refers to the evening.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget to use the preposition 'at' when referring to the specific time (e.g., 'at dinner time' not 'in dinner time').

💡

Memory Tip

Remember the 'D' in Dinner is for 'Dark'—it's the meal you eat when the sky gets dark outside.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old French word 'disner', which originally meant the first meal of the day, but shifted to mean the main meal later in the day.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an uncountable noun in general sense Follows the preposition 'at' for time Plural form is 'dinner times' for recurring schedules
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking cultures, dinner time is the most important time for family members to gather and talk about their day.

Quick Quiz

Wash your hands because it is ______ now.

Correct!

The correct answer is: dinner time

More Time words

hour

A1

A unit of time that lasts for sixty minutes. There are twenty-four of these units in one full day.

century

A1

A century is a period of 100 years. It is a common unit of time used to group historical events and long durations.

interval

A1

An interval is a period of time between two events or actions. It can also describe the space between two objects or musical notes.

era

A1

An era is a long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic. It is used to group years together based on a specific theme, person, or invention.

age

A1

Age refers to the amount of time a person has lived or an object has existed. It is also used to describe a particular period in history or a stage of life.

Wednesday

A1

Wednesday is the third day of the work week, occurring between Tuesday and Thursday. It is generally considered the middle of the standard five-day working week.

Friday

A1

Friday is the fifth day of the week, falling between Thursday and Saturday. In many Western cultures, it is the final day of the standard work and school week.

weekday

A1

A weekday is any day of the week except Saturday and Sunday. These are typically the days when people go to work or school, covering Monday through Friday.

tomorrow

A1

The day that occurs immediately after the present day. It is used to refer to the near future or a specific date following today.

daily

A1

The word daily describes something that happens every day or once in every twenty-four-hour period. It is used to explain the frequency of a habit, task, or regular event.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free