combo
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
A combination or set of two or more things offered together.
A small group of musicians; a sequence of moves in a fighting video game; a mixed drink; a bundled offer.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun. Connotes convenience, a bundled deal, or a unified package. Often implies a synergistic or standard pairing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in American English for commercial/food contexts. In British English, 'meal deal' is more common than 'lunch combo'. 'Jazz combo' is equally common in both.
Connotations
In the UK, can sound slightly Americanized in commercial contexts. In the US, it is standard for fast food and deals.
Frequency
High frequency in US casual/commercial speech. Medium-high in UK, with some contextual variation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
combo of [N]combo with [N][Adj] comboVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “one-two combo”
- “combo breaker”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to bundled products/services for a discounted price.
Academic
Rare; may appear in musicology (jazz combo) or game theory studies.
Everyday
Very common for food deals, video game moves, and simple combinations.
Technical
In computing: 'combo box' (UI element). In gaming: a sequence of attacks.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The combo meal is cheaper.
- He plays in a combo band.
American English
- The combo platter feeds two.
- She mastered the combo move.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I ordered a burger and chips combo.
- The jazz combo played nice music.
- This travel combo includes flight and hotel.
- Press these keys together for a special combo.
- The marketing campaign was a successful combo of social media and TV ads.
- The fighter's signature combo was impossible to block.
- The policy is a controversial combo of economic liberalism and social conservatism.
- The software suite is sold as an unbeatable combo for developers.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
COMes BOth together - a COMBO.
Conceptual Metaphor
SYNERGY IS A PACKAGE (The whole is more convenient/valuable than the parts).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'комбинация' in all contexts, as it can sound overly technical. For a food deal, 'набор' or 'комплексный обед' is more natural than 'комбо' (a recent loanword).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'combo' in formal writing.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I comboed the items' is non-standard).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'combo' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'combo' is predominantly informal and colloquial.
In standard usage, no. It is primarily a noun. In very specific gaming slang, it might be used verbally ('to combo an enemy'), but this is non-standard.
'Combo' is informal and often implies a pre-packaged, convenient, or standardised set. 'Combination' is neutral/formal and refers to any joining of things.
It originated in American English but is now widely understood and used in British English, particularly in commercial and gaming contexts.