dinner plate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “dinner plate” mean?
A flat dish, typically round, from which main meals (especially dinner) are eaten.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flat dish, typically round, from which main meals (especially dinner) are eaten.
The entire serving of food on such a plate; the physical plate itself as part of a dinnerware set; a standard-size plate (typically 10-12 inches) used for a main course.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is identical in form and core meaning. In British English, 'dinner' can refer to the midday meal or the evening meal depending on region/class, thus a 'dinner plate' might be used at lunch. In American English, 'dinner' almost exclusively means the evening meal.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a formal or full meal setting compared to a 'lunch plate' or 'side plate'. Slightly more formal than just 'plate'.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE due to clearer meal-time distinction. In BrE, 'main plate' or just 'plate' might be used interchangeably in some contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “dinner plate” in a Sentence
[Verb] + the dinner plate: set, clear, wash, break[Adjective] + dinner plate: clean, empty, chipped, decorativeon + a/the dinner plateVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In retail/manufacturing: 'We ship 5000 porcelain dinner plates monthly.'
Academic
Rare. Possibly in material culture studies: 'The evolution of the dinner plate in 18th-century Europe...'
Everyday
Very common: 'Can you pass me a dinner plate?' 'The spaghetti is ready for the dinner plates.'
Technical
In restaurant service: 'Ensure dinner plates are heated to 60°C before plating.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dinner plate”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dinner plate”
- Using 'dinner plate' for a salad plate. *'I'll have the salad on a dinner plate, please.' (Use 'salad plate')
- Confusing 'plate' (object) with 'course' (part of meal). *'The first dinner plate was soup.' (Use 'course')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Often, but not always. A dinner plate is typically the largest plate in a set (10-12 inches). A lunch plate can be the same size or slightly smaller, depending on the manufacturer. The name often depends on the meal it's intended for.
Yes, you can physically use a dinner plate for any meal. However, if you have smaller plates designated for breakfast (like a 'breakfast plate' or 'cereal bowl'), using a 'dinner plate' might be seen as taking a large portion.
A dinner plate is used to hold the food you eat. A charger (or service plate) is a larger, decorative plate placed underneath the dinner plate (or soup bowl) during formal dining. It is not meant to hold food directly and is usually removed before the main course.
Yes, it is a closed compound noun (written as two words, but some dictionaries hyphenate it: 'dinner-plate'). It functions as a single unit of meaning.
A flat dish, typically round, from which main meals (especially dinner) are eaten.
Dinner plate is usually neutral in register.
Dinner plate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪnə pleɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪnɚ pleɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Indirect] Clean your dinner plate. (Eat all your food)”
- “[Indirect] Have a lot on one's dinner plate. (Have many responsibilities)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DINNER TIME. You need a PLATE for your DINNER. Combine them: DINNER-PLATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DINNER PLATE IS A CANVAS (for food presentation). A DINNER PLATE IS A CONTAINER (for a meal).
Practice
Quiz
In a formal table setting, which item is typically largest?