Definitions and Examples

1. supper [the evening meal, frequently the main meal of the day]

We had a lot to eat for supper.

My brother missed supper because he came home late.

2. diet (a) [a reduction in the amount or kinds of food eaten in order to lose weight or to stay healthy]

I went on a diet to lose the weight I had gained over the holidays.

(b) [what you eat from day to day]

A proper diet and enough exercise will help keep you healthy.

3. quantity [an amount]

The quantity of food you eat has an effect on how much you weigh. Even though he eats small quantities of food, he gains weight because the food is very fattening.

4. produce (a) [fresh fruits and vegetables]

We buy much more produce than meat when we go shopping. Farmers frequently sell their produce at the roadside.

(b) [2-2: to make]

Italy produces shoes.

5. dine [to eat any meal, but generally dinner]

The Maxwells dined at the new French restaurant downtown. We usually dine at 6:00 p.m.

6. diner (a) [a person who dines]

The diners had a delicious meal and a wonderful time at the dinner dance.

(b) [a restaurant that looks like a railroad car]

Diners are usually much less formal and less expensive than other restaurants.

7. essential [basic; necessary]

Food, sleep, and housing are essential human needs. He is essentially a careful person, but sometimes he makes silly mistakes.

8. cut down (on) [to reduce the quantity (of)]

Marge cut down on how much bread she ate in order to lose weight. In order to protect your heart, you must cut down on the amount of salt

and fat you eat. I eat too much; I should cut down.

9. cut out {separable} [to completely stop using or doing something]

My dad cut out smoking and drinking on his doctor's orders. We cut sugar out of our daily diet.

10. portion [the quantity of food usually served to one person; a part of a whole]

I am not very hungry, so give me only a small portion of meat and only a spoonful of potatoes.

11. portion out {separable} [to divide into portions and distribute]

The boss portioned out the work so that no one would have to do the entire job; each person would have a small task.

12. starve [to suffer from extreme hunger; to die from hunger]

It is possible to diet so strictly that you essentially starve yourself. Many people in Africa have died from starvation because of the lack of rain.

13. garbage (a) [useless food items that you throw away]

You must be sure to take the garbage out so that the kitchen does not smell, (b) [anything useless]

A: Why do you collect such garbage?

B: You might think these are garbage, but I enjoy old magazines and photographs!

14. fill up on [to satisfy your hunger; to make yourself full]

We filled up on meat and potatoes.

There was not much meat, so we filled up on rice.

15. fill up (with) {separable} [to make something full]

He filled his plate up with vegetables.

The psychology course was so popular that it quickly filled up.

16. live on [to exist with the help of something; to eat primarily one thing]

A well-known expression in English is "Man cannot live on bread alone." We were so poor that year that we had to live on potatoes and bread. Students in the United States sometimes live on hamburgers.

17. mix [to combine, often so that the separate parts are no longer obvious]

She mixed the onions, pepper, salt, and beef together. Then she put the

mixture in the oven. Chemists mix many chemicals when doing experiments. It is easy to make good cakes if you buy a cake mix from the store.

18. ingredient [something added or required, often to form a mixture]

Flour, eggs, salt, butter, and sugar are some of the ingredients necessary for a cake.

A: What are the ingredients of a happy family?

B: Love, trust, and communication are essential for a happy home.

19. capacity (for) (a) [volume; the ability to hold something]

The room has a sixty-person capacity. The capacity of this bottle is one liter.

(b) [the ability to learn; an ability]

Barb has a natural capacity for chemistry.

(c| [the maximum amount of production; as much as possible]

A: What is the capacity of that automobile plant? B: It can produce over 1,000 cars each day.

The factory was operating below capacity. There was a capacity crowd at the concert.

(d) [the position in which one works or serves]

He works in the capacity of assistant manager.

20. run out (of) [to have no more of something]

We ran out of food before the party ended.

It seems that our money always runs out before the end of the month.

21. recipe [the instructions for preparing a type of food]

My mother cooks so well that she never has to follow recipes. The recipe had only three main steps.

22. nutritious [having or providing the ingredients necessary for good health; healthful]

Meat, vegetables, and milk are all very nutritious; they all provide the

body with the energy it needs. It is important to pay attention to nutrition; you should be careful to eat

all the food items your body needs. In order to stay healthy, we must eat foods which contain essential