Meaning & use
repasts
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“repasts” is a form of “repast”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountableformalliterary
Meals, especially large or formal ones eaten on a special occasion.
Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is "repast." Usually appears in formal or literary writing.
Patterns
- a fine repast
- share a repast
- after the repast
The wedding guests enjoyed a lavish repast in the great hall.
After a long day of walking, they sat down to a simple but welcome repast.
The novel describes rich repasts served at the duke's table.
noununcountableliteraryold-fashioned
Food and drink considered as nourishment; the act of eating a meal.
Grammar: Uncountable when referring to food in general rather than a specific meal.
Patterns
- take repast
- a little repast
They paused by the stream to take a brief repast of bread and cheese.
The travelers needed rest and repast before continuing.
Word forms
| singular | repast |
|---|
Common combinations
- a hearty repast
- The farmers sat down to a hearty repast after the harvest.
- a lavish repast
- The ambassador hosted a lavish repast for the visiting delegation.
- a simple repast
- We shared a simple repast of soup and bread.
- partake of a repast
- The guests partook of a repast in the garden.
- after the repast
- After the repast, the musicians began to play.
Synonyms and how they differ
- meal
- The everyday, neutral word; use "meal" in normal conversation and "repast" only in formal or literary writing.
- feast
- Suggests a particularly large or celebratory meal, while "repast" can refer to any meal, grand or plain.
- dinner
- Names a specific meal of the day; "repast" is a general, formal term for any meal.
Word family
- repast noun
- The singular form, meaning one meal.
Commonly confused: repasts or repost? repasts or repassed?
repasts vs repost
"Repost" means to publish something again online; "repast" is a formal word for a meal. They sound similar but have unrelated meanings.
repasts vs repassed
"Repassed" is the past tense of "repass," meaning to pass again; "repasts" is the plural of "repast." Watch the spelling difference.
Practice
Which sentence uses "repasts" correctly?
Choose one answer.
"Repasts" is a plural noun meaning meals, so it fits as the subject of "were served." The other options use it as a verb, but "repast" is not a verb; "reposts" would fit options 2 and 3, and option 4 needs a verb like "hurried."
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “repasts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.