English Reference

Word

picnic

Phoneticspic·nic, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈpɪkˌnɪk/

UK/pˈɪknɪk/

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

picnic

Past

picnicked

Past participle

picnicked

Definitions

01outdoor meal

A1 · Beginner Countable noun

n. a meal you eat outside, often in a park or the countryside.

n. an informal social gathering in an outdoor setting where participants consume a meal brought from home.

“We packed some sandwiches and fruit for a picnic in the park.”

“The family organized a large picnic by the lake, bringing blankets and hampers filled with homemade salads and cold drinks.”

Synonyms

cookoutalfresco meal

02easy task

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. something that is very easy or pleasant to do.

n. a task or experience that is remarkably easy, pleasant, or uncomplicated.

“The exam was no picnic, but I think I passed.”

“Managing a team of fifty volunteers during a heatwave was no picnic for the event coordinator.”

03cut of meat

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Cooking Technical

n. a specific cut of meat from a pig's shoulder.

n. a cut of pork taken from the lower portion of the shoulder, often smoked or cured.

“The recipe calls for a slow-roasted picnic to make the pulled pork.”

“The butcher recommended the picnic cut for the stew, noting its high fat content would provide excellent flavour during the long braising process.”

Synonyms

picnic hampork shoulder

04to eat outdoors

A2 · Elementary

v. to have a picnic outside.

v. to participate in or hold an outdoor meal.

“They decided to picnic on the grass near the river.”

“The hikers chose to picnic at the summit, enjoying the panoramic views while they ate their packed lunches.”

Usage

The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

Synonyms

Etymology

Borrowed from French pique-nique.

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

Idioms

Domain

Computing

This entry

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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Frequent
Level
A1 · Beginner
Updated

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English Reference