# Sunday

/ˈsənˌdeɪ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sunday
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the day of the week

noun · CEFR A1

the day that comes after Saturday and before Monday.

For teachers: the day of the week following Saturday and preceding Monday, traditionally observed as a day of rest or worship in many cultures.

- We usually go for a long walk in the park on Sunday morning.
- Most shops in the city centre operate on reduced hours on Sunday, reflecting the traditional status of the day as a period of rest.

### 2. on Sunday

adverb · CEFR A2 · American English · Informal

happening on the most recent or the next Sunday.

For teachers: used to indicate that an event occurs on Sunday; common in North American English without the preposition 'on'.

- The team plays Sunday, so we need to buy tickets today.
- The gallery is scheduled to open Sunday, provided the final installations are completed by the Saturday evening deadline.

Usage: In American English, the day name can function as an adverb without a preposition.

### 3. occasional or unskilled

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

describes someone who only does an activity occasionally and is not very good at it.

For teachers: attributive use describing a person who engages in an activity only occasionally or as a hobbyist, often implying a lack of professional skill.

- He is just a Sunday driver who moves very slowly and annoys other people.
- The professional cyclists were frustrated by the Sunday riders who blocked the narrow mountain paths during the weekend race.

### 4. best or elegant

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

describes your best clothes or items, usually kept for special occasions.

For teachers: attributive use referring to one's finest clothing or possessions, historically those reserved for church attendance.

- She put on her Sunday best for the family wedding.
- The children were dressed in their Sunday clothes, looking unusually tidy for the formal portrait session.

### 5. to spend the day

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal

to spend your Sunday in a specific place or with specific people.

For teachers: to pass the duration of a Sunday at a particular location or in the company of specific individuals.

- We decided to Sunday at the coast to enjoy the fresh sea air.
- The family has a long-standing tradition of Sundaying at their country estate whenever the weather permits during the summer months.

## Examples

- We usually go for a long walk on Sunday.
- Most shops in the city center close early on Sunday to give employees time off.
- The quiet atmosphere of a rainy Sunday afternoon often encourages a sense of reflection before the busy work week begins again.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.