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noun A2 Elementary Common

menu

MEHN-yoo

Menu (noun) means a list of food and drinks available at a restaurant, café, or event. Example: “We studied the menu before deciding on the tasting course.”

noun
1
A list of food and drinks available at a restaurant, café, or event.
"We studied the menu before deciding on the tasting course."
"The chef changes the menu with the seasons."
2
In computing, a list of options a user can choose from, typically on screen.
"Click the settings icon to open the main menu."

How to Use Menu

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA list of choices — of food at a restaurant, or of options on a computer or device.

Common pairings
dinner menu drop-down menu tasting menu

Word Forms

menued past tense, menus plural, Menus plural, menus singular

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Test yourself on “menu” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

We studied the _____ before deciding on the tasting course.

Etymology

Borrowed from French menu ("small, detailed"), from Latin minūtus — the same root as "minute" (small).

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for menu

See all rhymes for menu →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “menu” mean?

The word “menu” means a list of food and drinks available at a restaurant, café, or event. In plain terms, a list of choices — of food at a restaurant, or of options on a computer or device.

How do you pronounce “menu”?

“Menu” is pronounced MEHN-yoo (/ˈmɛn.ju/ in IPA).

How do you use “menu” in a sentence?

Here is “menu” used in a sentence: “We studied the menu before deciding on the tasting course.”

What part of speech is “menu”?

“Menu” is a noun.

Where does the word “menu” come from?

The word “menu” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French menu ("small, detailed"), from Latin minūtus — the same root as "minute" (small).

Is “menu” a common word?

“Menu” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “menu” have?

“Menu” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a list of food and drinks available at a restaurant, café, or event.

What is the difference between a "menu" and "à la carte"?

A "menu" is the full list of food and drinks a restaurant offers, while "à la carte" refers to ordering individual dishes that are each priced separately rather than as a set meal. A fixed "set menu" instead offers a chosen selection at one price.

What is the difference between a "menu" and a "recipe"?

A "menu" lists the dishes available or planned for a meal, while a "recipe" gives the ingredients and instructions for making a single dish. You choose from a menu, but you follow a recipe.

What are common collocations with "menu"?

Common collocations include "set menu," "tasting menu," "drop-down menu," and "menu bar." The first two relate to food, while the last two belong to computing.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial