Word
dine
US/ˈdaɪn/
UK/dˈaɪn/
Definitions
01to eat dinner
B1 · Intermediate Formal
v. to eat a meal, especially dinner, in a formal or special way.
v. to eat the principal meal of the day. Intransitive; often implies a degree of formality or a social occasion.
“We decided to dine at a small Italian restaurant for our anniversary.”
“The ambassadors will dine at the embassy tonight to discuss the new trade agreement in a more relaxed setting.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'at' for a location or 'on' for the food being eaten.
02to host for dinner
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
v. to provide a formal dinner for someone else.
v. to entertain someone at dinner or to provide a meal for them. Transitive; takes a direct object representing the person being fed.
“The host dines his guests with the finest wines and local dishes.”
“It was his custom to dine his business associates at his private club to ensure their undivided attention during negotiations.”
Usage
This transitive use is much less common than the intransitive sense and is restricted to high-register or literary contexts.
Word family
VERB
Related words
Idioms
01. dine on ashes
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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