light meal

Meaning

A 'light meal' is food that is easy to digest, not very filling, and usually low in calories or fat. Examples include salads, soups, or small sandwiches. It is the opposite of a heavy meal and is perfect when you want energy without feeling weighed down.

Examples

• I usually prefer a light meal like a salad for lunch.

  I usually prefer a light meal like a salad for lunch.

• The doctor suggested eating a light meal before the surgery.

  The doctor suggested eating a light meal before the surgery.

• We had a light meal of soup and bread before heading out.

  We had a light meal of soup and bread before heading out.

• Is there a light meal option on the room service menu?

  Is there a light meal option on the room service menu?

• After eating a light meal, I still had plenty of energy for my run.

  After eating a light meal, I still had plenty of energy for my run.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to eat a soft meal today.

  ✓ I want to eat a light meal today.

  'Soft meal' refers to the physical texture of the food (like mashed potatoes). To describe food that is small or easy to digest, use 'light meal'.

• ✗ I had a thin meal for lunch.

  ✓ I had a light meal for lunch.

  'Thin' is used for objects or people. The correct adjective to pair with a meal is 'light'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• A salad with grilled chicken is a perfect ___ for a hot summer day.

  💡 A small, easy-to-digest lunch.

  Show answer

  light meal

• If you're not very hungry, we can just prepare a ___.

  💡 The opposite of a heavy meal.

  Show answer

  light meal