table
A table is a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, used as a surface for working at, eating from, or on which to place things. In the context of food, it is the primary place where meals are served and people sit together to eat.
Examples
3 of 5Please put the plates on the kitchen table.
Put the dishes on the flat surface in the kitchen.
The host requested that guests be seated at the banquet table.
The person in charge asked everyone to sit at the large dining surface.
Let's find a table near the window.
Let's look for a place to sit by the window.
Word Family
Memory Tip
T-A-B-L-E: Things Always Be Laid Everything (imagine laying everything you need for lunch on the flat surface).
Quick Quiz
It is your turn to ____ the table before we eat dinner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: set
Examples
Please put the plates on the kitchen table.
everydayPut the dishes on the flat surface in the kitchen.
The host requested that guests be seated at the banquet table.
formalThe person in charge asked everyone to sit at the large dining surface.
Let's find a table near the window.
informalLet's look for a place to sit by the window.
The study analyzes behavior patterns observed at the dinner table.
academicThe research looks at how people act while eating together.
We need to reserve a table for four for our business lunch.
businessWe must book a spot for four people to have a professional meal.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
on the table
available for discussion or consideration
under the table
done secretly or illegally
wait tables
to work as a server in a restaurant
Often Confused With
A desk is specifically designed for work or study and often has drawers, whereas a table is a general-purpose surface.
A tablet is a small portable computer or a pill, not a large piece of furniture.
Usage Notes
Use 'at the table' when referring to people sitting down to eat or talk, and 'on the table' when referring to objects placed on the surface.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'sit on the table' when they mean 'sit at the table'. 'Sit on the table' means your body is actually on top of the furniture.
Memory Tip
T-A-B-L-E: Things Always Be Laid Everything (imagine laying everything you need for lunch on the flat surface).
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'tabula', which means a board, plank, or flat surface.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many cultures, the dinner table is considered the heart of the home where families bond and share their day.
Quick Quiz
It is your turn to ____ the table before we eat dinner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: set
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Dinner is the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the lat...
mealA meal is an occasion when food is eaten, or the specific fo...
restaurantA restaurant is a public place where people pay to sit and e...
plateA flat, usually round dish that you use to hold and eat food...
furnitureFurniture refers to movable objects intended to support vari...
chairA piece of furniture designed for one person to sit on, typi...
More Food words
meal
A1A meal is an occasion when food is eaten, or the specific food that is prepared and eaten at a certain time of day. It usually refers to the main eating events such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
juice
A1Juice is the liquid that comes from fruits and vegetables when they are squeezed or crushed. It is a common beverage enjoyed cold and is often consumed during breakfast.
coffee
A1Coffee is a popular dark-colored drink made from roasted and ground seeds called beans. It is usually served hot or cold and contains caffeine, which helps people feel more awake and energetic.
cheese
A1A solid food made from the pressed curds of milk, often flavored and aged. It is a common dairy product used in sandwiches, pizzas, and many cooked dishes around the world.
beef
A1Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle, particularly cows. It is a popular source of protein consumed in many different forms, such as steaks, roasts, or ground meat.
orange
A1A round citrus fruit with a bright reddish-yellow skin and juicy segments inside. It is well-known for being a rich source of Vitamin C and is commonly eaten fresh or squeezed into juice.
watermelon
A1A watermelon is a very large, round or oval fruit with a hard green skin and a sweet, watery red or pink interior. It is commonly eaten cold during the summer months and is known for its high water content and black seeds.
lemon
A1A lemon is a yellow citrus fruit that has a very sour taste. It is commonly used in cooking, baking, and drinks to add a fresh or acidic flavor.
peach
A1A peach is a round, sweet fruit with soft, fuzzy skin and a large hard seed in the middle. It is usually orange or yellow and is commonly eaten fresh or used in desserts during the summer.
pineapple
A1A large, tropical fruit with a tough, scaly skin and a tuft of green leaves on top. It has sweet, juicy yellow flesh inside and is eaten fresh, canned, or as juice.
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