three-course meal

Meaning

A meal that consists of three sequential parts served in order: an appetizer (starter), a main course (entree), and a dessert. It is a standard dining format in mid-range to high-end restaurants worldwide. It is often offered as a set menu at a fixed price, making it a popular option for tourists looking for a complete dining experience.

Examples

• The hotel package includes a complimentary three-course meal at their rooftop restaurant.

  The hotel package includes a complimentary three-course meal at their rooftop restaurant.

• We opted for the three-course meal because it was much cheaper than ordering à la carte.

  We opted for the three-course meal because it was much cheaper than ordering à la carte.

• For a three-course meal, the portions were surprisingly generous.

  For a three-course meal, the portions were surprisingly generous.

• I'm not sure I can finish a three-course meal, so I might just order a starter and a main.

  I'm not sure I can finish a three-course meal, so I might just order a starter and a main.

• The cruise ship offers a different three-course meal every evening of the trip.

  The cruise ship offers a different three-course meal every evening of the trip.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We ordered a three-courses meal at the French bistro.

  ✓ We ordered a three-course meal at the French bistro.

  When used as an adjective before a noun, 'three-course' is singular and hyphenated.

• ✗ The dinner was a three-plates meal.

  ✓ The dinner was a three-course meal.

  In English dining, we refer to the stages of a meal as 'courses', not 'plates' or 'dishes'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The price of the tour includes a classic ___ at a local tavern.

  💡 A dining experience consisting of an appetizer, main, and dessert.

  Show answer

  three-course meal

• I think a ___ is too much food for lunch, so let's just get a quick sandwich.

  💡 A full meal with three distinct parts.

  Show answer

  three-course meal