sunday morning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to informal. Common in everyday conversation, literature, and media. Can be used in formal contexts when referring to calendar time.
Quick answer
What does “sunday morning” mean?
The period of time from sunrise until noon on the seventh day of the week, typically associated with leisure, relaxation, and specific routines.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The period of time from sunrise until noon on the seventh day of the week, typically associated with leisure, relaxation, and specific routines.
A cultural concept representing a time of calm, reflection, recovery from the week, and preparation for the week ahead. It often carries connotations of quietness, family time, specific activities (like reading the paper, having a large breakfast), and a slower pace of life.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Core meaning is identical. Specific associated activities may vary (e.g., prominence of 'Sunday roast' in UK vs. 'Sunday brunch' in US). The phrase 'Sunday morning quarterback' is primarily American.
Connotations
Both share connotations of leisure. British usage may have a slightly stronger historical link to religious observance and a traditional 'day of rest'. American usage strongly associates with leisurely family activities, sports (NFL), and big breakfasts.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “sunday morning” in a Sentence
We spent [the] Sunday morning [VERB+ing].Sunday morning is [a time for NOUN].On Sunday morning, [SUBJECT] [VERB].The [ADJECTIVE] Sunday morning [VERB].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sunday morning” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We often potter about the garden on a Sunday morning.
- The family traditionally gathers for a roast on Sunday mornings.
American English
- We like to sleep in on Sunday mornings.
- He usually mows the lawn Sunday morning.
adverb
British English
- They arrived Sunday morning, just in time for lunch.
- The shop opens Sunday morning at ten.
American English
- Let's drive out to the coast Sunday morning.
- The package is scheduled to arrive Sunday morning.
adjective
British English
- The Sunday morning quiet was broken by church bells.
- He has a regular Sunday morning golf game.
American English
- The Sunday morning talk shows are very political.
- We enjoy a relaxed Sunday morning routine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in scheduling ('The meeting is scheduled for Sunday morning.').
Academic
Used in sociological, cultural, or historical studies examining weekly rhythms and rituals.
Everyday
Very common for planning, describing routines, or evoking a mood ('I love the calm of a Sunday morning.').
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts unless related to time-stamping or scheduling algorithms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sunday morning”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sunday morning”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sunday morning”
- Using 'Sunday's morning' (incorrect possessive).
- Capitalizing 'morning' as part of the phrase (only 'Sunday' is capitalized).
- Using 'in Sunday morning' (correct preposition is 'on').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while culturally associated with leisure, it can simply refer to that time period for work, travel, or other obligations (e.g., 'I have a flight Sunday morning').
Use 'on Sunday morning' for a specific instance or 'on Sunday mornings' for habitual actions. 'On Sundays morning' is grammatically incorrect.
'Sunday morning' is the time period. 'Sunday morning's' is the possessive, used to attribute something to that time (e.g., 'Sunday morning's newspaper was late').
Yes, it can function attributively before a noun (e.g., 'a Sunday morning tradition', 'the Sunday morning quiet').
The period of time from sunrise until noon on the seventh day of the week, typically associated with leisure, relaxation, and specific routines.
Sunday morning is usually neutral to informal. common in everyday conversation, literature, and media. can be used in formal contexts when referring to calendar time. in register.
Sunday morning: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʌn.deɪ ˈmɔː.nɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsʌn.deɪ ˈmɔːr.nɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sunday morning quarterback (US)”
- “Like a Sunday morning (peaceful, quiet)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Sun' + 'day' + 'mourning' (as in the end of the weekend's freedom) but spelled 'morning' for the start of the day.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE (to spend, waste, or enjoy); SUNDAY MORNING IS A SANCTUARY (from the week's demands).
Practice
Quiz
Which preposition is typically used with 'Sunday morning' when it is the object of the sentence?