main course

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Word: Main Course

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition:

The "main course" is the most important or substantial dish in a meal. It usually comes after the appetizer (a smaller dish served before the main meal) and before dessert (a sweet dish served at the end of the meal).

Usage Instructions:

• The term is commonly used in restaurants and during meals at home.
• When ordering food, you can ask for the main course after discussing appetizers and before dessert.

Example:

• At a restaurant, you might say: "For the main course, I would like the grilled chicken with vegetables."

Advanced Usage:

• In a formal dining setting, the main course is often more elaborate and can include multiple components, such as a protein (like meat or fish), vegetables, and starch (like rice or potatoes).

Variants:

• There are no direct variants of the phrase "main course," but you might encounter related terms like "entrée," especially in American English, which can refer to the main dish.

Different Meanings:

• In a sailing context (not commonly used), "main course" could refer to the principal sail on a boat, but this meaning is less relevant for everyday conversations about food.

Synonyms:

• Main dish
• Entrée (in some English-speaking countries)
• Principal dish

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include "main course" since it is a straightforward term related to dining.

Summary:

The "main course" is an essential part of a meal, representing the primary dish that provides the bulk of the meal.

Academic

Noun

1. a square mainsail
2. the principal dish of a meal

Synonyms

• entree