picnic
B1Informal, Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A social event where people eat a meal outdoors, especially in a park or other pleasant place, often brought from home.
Any enjoyable or easy experience; as a verb, to participate in such an outing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies casual, portable food (sandwiches, salads, snacks) and often a blanket on the ground. Can metaphorically denote an easy task or pleasant situation ("no picnic").
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. The verb 'to picnic' and its forms (picnicking, picnicked) are used in both. The concept is culturally identical.
Connotations
Strongly associated with summer, good weather, and family outings in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
go on/for a picnic (with sb)have a picnicpack a picnicpicnic (v) + [prepositional phrase: by the lake, in the park]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “be no picnic”
- “one sandwich short of a picnic”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May appear metaphorically: 'Managing the merger was no picnic.'
Academic
Rare, except in sociological or cultural studies of leisure.
Everyday
Very common in social planning and descriptions of leisure activities.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We're planning to picnic by the river if the weather holds.
- They picnicked on the cliffs overlooking the sea.
American English
- Let's picnic in the park after the game.
- We picnicked at the rest stop during our road trip.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb; typically adjectival)
American English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb; typically adjectival)
adjective
British English
- We brought a picnic blanket and a picnic hamper.
- The park has dedicated picnic tables.
American English
- Don't forget the picnic basket and cooler.
- We found a great picnic spot near the lake.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We had a picnic in the park.
- She made sandwiches for the picnic.
- If it's sunny tomorrow, let's go for a picnic by the lake.
- They packed a lovely picnic with homemade lemonade.
- Organising the school fair was no picnic, I can tell you!
- We spent the afternoon picnicking on the grassy slopes of the hill.
- The novel's opening chapter depicts an idyllic family picnic that starkly contrasts with the turmoil that follows.
- The company's financial recovery has been anything but a picnic for its employees.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PICture a NICe day eating outside.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE IS A PICNIC ("It was a picnic") / A DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE IS NO PICNIC.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'пикник' for all outdoor eating; it is correct for the casual, portable meal, but not for a barbecue/шашлык which involves grilling.
- The verb forms (picnicking, picnicked) follow standard English spelling rules (add 'k').
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect verb forms: 'picnicing' (should be 'picnicking'), 'picniced' (should be 'picnicked').
- Using 'picnic' to describe a formal outdoor catering event.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'it was no picnic' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The correct spelling is 'picnicking'. A 'k' is added to preserve the hard 'c' sound, following the rule for verbs ending in 'c' (e.g., panic/panicking).
Not exactly. A 'barbecue' (or BBQ) specifically involves cooking food, especially meat, over an open fire or grill. A 'picnic' is a meal eaten outdoors, but the food is usually pre-prepared and portable (e.g., sandwiches, salads). A barbecue can be a type of picnic, but not all picnics are barbecues.
It is primarily a word for informal and neutral contexts. In formal writing, it might appear in metaphorical expressions (e.g., 'The negotiations were no picnic') or in specific academic contexts like cultural studies.
A 'picnic table' specifically refers to the long, sturdy table with attached benches, commonly found in public parks and recreational areas, designed for casual outdoor dining. A general 'garden table' or 'patio table' may not have this fixed bench design.