English Reference
noun · verb

brunch

n. · v.
US /ˈbɹəntʃ/ UK /bɹˈʌntʃ/ brunch UK spelling brunched, brunches, brunching

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Cooking

    n.a meal eaten in the late morning or early afternoon that combines breakfast and lunch foods.

    n.a meal typically consumed between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, often serving as a social occasion and featuring both sweet and savoury dishes.

    Simple

    We usually go out for a big brunch on Sundays after we sleep in.

    In context

    The hotel restaurant offers a lavish brunch buffet every weekend, featuring everything from traditional eggs Benedict to seasonal salads and pastries.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    v.to eat a meal that is a mix of breakfast and lunch.

    v.to consume brunch; an intransitive verb often used to describe a social activity.

    Simple

    They spent the whole morning brunching at a small café by the river.

    In context

    After the wedding, the guests spent several hours brunching on the terrace while the couple prepared for their departure.


Blend of breakfast + lunch. Attested from 1895 in British English and from 1930 in the United States.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated