luncheon
3 synonyms for luncheon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A formal meal eaten in the middle of the day.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
tiffin
dejeuner
How to use luncheon
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
business luncheon
luncheon meat
Sounds more formal or old-fashioned than "lunch" — used for official events like business luncheons.
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, first recorded as lunching; it may derive from an early form related to lump, meaning a chunk of food, and is closely tied to lunch, though it isn't fully settled which word came first.
Full origin of luncheon →Frequently asked questions
What does “luncheon” mean?
The word “luncheon” means a formal meal eaten in the middle of the day. In plain terms, a more formal word for lunch, or a type of tinned/sliced processed meat.
How do you pronounce “luncheon”?
“Luncheon” is pronounced LUHN-shuhn (/ˈlʌn(t)ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “luncheon” in a sentence?
Here is “luncheon” used in a sentence: “The charity held a luncheon to thank its major donors.”
What part of speech is “luncheon”?
“Luncheon” is a noun.
Is “luncheon” a common word?
“Luncheon” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “luncheon” have?
“Luncheon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal meal eaten in the middle of the day.
