self-catering

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nounBritish

   Relating to vacation accommodations where guests prepare their own meals instead of eating in a restaurant.

   Grammar: Comes before the noun it describes, as in 'self-catering apartment'; it is not used after a verb.

   Patterns

   • self-catering accommodation
   • a self-catering apartment
   • self-catering holiday

   We booked a self-catering cottage in the Lake District to save money on food.

   The self-catering apartment had a small kitchen with a stove and a fridge.

   Many families prefer self-catering holidays because children can eat whenever they are hungry.

2. 2noununcountableBritish

   A type of vacation lodging where you cook your own meals.

   Grammar: Used without 'a' or 'an'; refers to the arrangement in general, not one specific unit.

   Patterns

   • go self-catering
   • stay in self-catering

   We decided to go self-catering this year to keep costs down.

   Self-catering is a good option if you have picky eaters in the family.

Common combinations

self-catering accommodation

The website lists self-catering accommodation all over the island.

self-catering cottage

They rented a self-catering cottage near the beach.

self-catering holiday

A self-catering holiday gives you more freedom than a hotel.

go self-catering

We usually go self-catering when we travel with kids.

Synonyms and how they differ

self-catered

Used in the same way but less common; it often appears in formal brochures.

Opposites

Word family

cater verb

To provide food and drink for an event or group.

caterer noun

A person or company that provides food for events.

catering noun

The business of providing food for events.

Commonly confused: self-catering or self-contained?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “self-catering”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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