Meaning – How to Understand Labels & Codes [C or U] in Cambridge Dictionary

dictionariesmeaning

in Cambridge dictionary, [C] refers to

Countable noun: a noun that has a plural

[U] refers to

Uncountable or singular noun: a noun that has no plural.

What does [ C or U ] mean? Take this (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/dinner) as our running example.

snippet of dinner entry

I guess that means this word could be used as Countable or Uncountable and depends on the context. However, I didn't see that in the examples in the first section.

the definitions of "dinner"

In AMERICAN DICTIONARY section, there are indeed examples marked [ U ], all of them!

the AmEng definition of "dinner"

How do I understand [ C or U ] here correctly?

Best Answer

Interesting question.

Many uncountable nouns can also be used as countable when a particular instance is being referred to (eg injustice, truth).

But that doesn't seem to apply here: dinner (like other meals) is usually uncountable even when it refers to a particular occasion:

They came over for dinner.

I'll do it after dinner.

I always studied after dinner.

But there are a few cases where it can be used as a countable noun. One is when talking about catering for a particular (or vague) number of people:

We've served seventy breakfasts and fifty-nine dinners today.

All the other cases I can think of are talking about particular instances, but are often optional:

During my stay, I got my dinner/dinners at The Kings Head.

I think "dinner" (uncountable) is more common here, but "dinners" is possible, treating them as separate events.

Edit: one particular case which is always plural (and hence countable) is the idiomatic exclamation: ... more [something] than you've had hot dinners!

Another is when a particular event is further qualified, as in a candlelit dinner above.

Note: I am ignoring the different meaning of dinner, as a formal dining event, usually with speeches. This is always countable.

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