chow-down
/ˈtʃaʊ.daʊn/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A casual meal or eating session, especially one that feels relaxed, fun, or large. It is informal and often sounds playful.
- We had a late-night chow-down after the movie.
- The team enjoyed a big chow-down together.
Adinary Nuance
Chow-down is much more casual than meal or dinner. It suggests relaxed, hearty eating, often with friends, family, or a group. Use it in speaking or playful writing, not in formal academic or business English.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bữa ăn vui vẻ
- Spanish
- comilona
- Chinese
- 大吃一顿
- Japanese
- ごちそう
- Korean
- 푸짐한 식사
Etymology
Chow-down is an informal American English phrase built from chow, a slang word for food, and down, used in the sense of eating something. It became common in the 20th century in casual speech.
Common phrases
a big chow-downafter-work chow-downfamily chow-downgrab a chow-down
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is chow-down formal or informal?
- It is informal and playful. It is not a good choice for formal writing.
- Can I use chow-down in business English?
- Usually no. Use meal, lunch, or dinner instead.
- Is chow-down the same as dinner?
- Not exactly. Chow-down means a casual eating event, not a specific time of day.