lunchtime
B1Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
The time of day when people typically eat lunch.
A break from work or school to eat lunch; also used metaphorically to refer to a peak period or specific timeframe during the day.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers primarily to the time period, not the meal itself. Can be used to mean the designated break from an activity for lunch.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
While the word is identical, in British English, 'lunchtime' may often refer to a slightly later period than the typical American midday meal time. The concept is identical.
Connotations
Generally neutral in both. In British schools, 'lunchtime' often implies a longer break for eating and recreation compared to a shorter American 'lunch period' in schools.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects. 'Lunch hour' is a common alternative in both, but not more frequent than 'lunchtime'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Noun] at lunchtimeIt's [adjective] by lunchtimeSee you [time preposition] lunchtimeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There's no such thing as a free lunch.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the period for a scheduled break or informal meetings, e.g., 'Let's discuss this over lunchtime.'
Academic
Used in school/college contexts to denote the scheduled break between classes.
Everyday
The most common context, for arranging meetings or describing daily routine.
Technical
Rarely used in technical contexts unless specifying timetables or scheduling algorithms.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Informally, used adverbially: 'I'll call you lunchtime tomorrow.'
American English
- Informally, used adverbially: 'Let's meet lunchtime Friday.'
adjective
British English
- We offer a great lunchtime deal.
- The lunchtime news starts at 1 pm.
American English
- Check out our lunchtime specials.
- The lunchtime rush is from 12 to 1.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I eat my sandwich at lunchtime.
- The children play outside at lunchtime.
- We usually have a team meeting around lunchtime on Mondays.
- By lunchtime, I had already finished most of my work.
- The cafe was bustling with the usual lunchtime crowd seeking a quick bite.
- Despite the lunchtime announcement, the markets showed little reaction.
- The policy of flexible working hours means core meetings are scheduled strictly outside the lunchtime window.
- His lunchtime perambulations around the park were a cherished daily ritual.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'lunch' and the word 'time' combined: the time for lunch.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTAINER (We 'have' lunchtime, things happen 'in' lunchtime).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating it as 'время обедать' (time to have lunch) in fixed phrases; use the noun 'ланчтайм' contextually or 'время обеда'.
- Do not confuse with 'lunch hour', which implies a specific 60-minute duration.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lunchtime' to refer to the food itself (e.g., 'I brought my lunchtime').
- Incorrect prepositions: 'on lunchtime' instead of 'at lunchtime'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST natural use of 'lunchtime'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as one word: 'lunchtime'.
Yes, it is commonly used as a noun modifier (attributive noun), e.g., 'lunchtime meeting', 'lunchtime menu'.
'Lunchtime' refers to the general time period when lunch is eaten. 'Lunch hour' specifically suggests a break lasting about an hour, often used in employment contexts.
No, the standard prepositions are 'at', 'around', 'by', or 'during' lunchtime. 'On lunchtime' is incorrect.