fast food

Meaning

Fast food refers to quick, inexpensive food prepared and served at chains like McDonald's or Burger King. It is designed for quick service and is often eaten on the go. It carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation regarding health.

Examples

• We were in a hurry, so we just grabbed some fast food on the way.

  We were in a hurry, so we just grabbed some fast food on the way.

• I try not to eat too much fast food because it's not very healthy.

  I try not to eat too much fast food because it's not very healthy.

• Is there a fast food restaurant near the train station?

  Is there a fast food restaurant near the train station?

• My kids love fast food, but we only have it once a week.

  My kids love fast food, but we only have it once a week.

• The town is small and doesn't have any fast food places.

  The town is small and doesn't have any fast food places.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Let's eat a fast food.

  ✓ Let's get some fast food.

  'Fast food' is an uncountable noun. You cannot say 'a fast food' to mean a meal or a restaurant.

• ✗ I don't like quick food.

  ✓ I don't like fast food.

  Even though 'quick' and 'fast' are synonyms, the standard collocation is always 'fast food'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We don't have time to cook, let's just get some ___.

  💡 Quick, cheap food from a chain restaurant.

  Show answer

  fast food

• Burgers and fries are typical examples of ___.

  💡 Unhealthy food served very quickly.

  Show answer

  fast food