English Reference
noun · adjective

eating

n. · adj.
US /ˈitɪŋ/ UK /ˈiːtɪŋ/ eat·ing UK spelling eatings

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    n.the act of putting food in your mouth and swallowing it.

    n.the act of ingesting food. Uncountable in its general sense, though it can be countable when referring to specific instances.

    Simple

    Healthy eating is important if you want to have more energy during the day.

    In context

    The study suggests that mindful eating can significantly reduce the frequency of stress-induced snacking among office workers.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate InformalDialect

    n.a way of talking about food or the quality of a meal.

    n.food, cooking, or cuisine. Often used in informal or regional contexts to describe the quality of a meal.

    Simple

    The hotel was basic, but the eating was excellent.

    In context

    He promised us some fine eating once we reached the coastal village, which was famous for its traditional seafood recipes.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.used to describe fruit or food that can be eaten raw or without being cooked.

    adj.suitable for consumption without further preparation or cooking; often used to distinguish varieties of fruit.

    Simple

    Make sure you buy eating apples rather than the sour ones used for pies.

    In context

    The orchard specializes in eating cherries, which are prized for their sweetness and firm texture compared to industrial varieties.

Usage eating disorder · eating disorders · eating food


From Middle English etynge, from Old English eting.

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

This entry
Origin Old English eting
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated