tiffin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to medium in global English, high in Indian English.Informal, regional.
Quick answer
What does “tiffin” mean?
A light midday meal or a lunchbox, especially in Indian and British English.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A light midday meal or a lunchbox, especially in Indian and British English.
Can refer to the container used for carrying such a meal, or more broadly, any light repast or snack.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it can mean a light lunch; in American English, it is rarely used and may be considered archaic or foreign.
Connotations
In British/Indian English, it evokes cultural traditions; in American English, it might sound colonial or exotic.
Frequency
Common in Indian English, occasional in British English, very rare in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “tiffin” in a Sentence
to tiffin (on something)have tiffin for lunchVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tiffin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to tiffin at the park.
adjective
British English
- The tiffin break was scheduled for noon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; in Indian business settings, it might refer to lunch meetings.
Academic
Used in historical or cultural studies related to British India or South Asia.
Everyday
Common in everyday speech in India for lunch or packed meal.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tiffin”
- Pronouncing it as 'tee-fin' instead of 'tif-in'.
- Using it in American English where 'lunch' or 'bag lunch' is preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely; it is more common in British and Indian English, and may be unfamiliar or archaic in American contexts.
Yes, historically it can be used as a verb meaning to eat lunch, but this usage is uncommon and mostly found in British or Indian English.
It is believed to have originated from the obsolete English word 'tiffing', meaning to take a little drink, and was adopted in colonial India for lunch.
'Tiffin' often implies a lighter, packed meal with cultural ties to South Asia, while 'lunch' is a more general term for the midday meal worldwide.
A light midday meal or a lunchbox, especially in Indian and British English.
Tiffin is usually informal, regional. in register.
Tiffin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɪfɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɪfɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tiff' (a slight quarrel) and 'in' – imagine having a light lunch where a tiff might occur.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER IS A MEAL (metonymy where the container represents the food).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'tiffin'?