bento
|ben-to|
A2
🇺🇸
/ˈbɛntoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˈbɛntəʊ/
Japanese packed lunch
Etymology
Etymology Information
'bento' originates from Japanese, specifically the word '弁当', where '弁' meant 'convenience' and '当' meant 'appropriate'.
Historical Evolution
'弁当' was adopted into English as 'bento', maintaining its original meaning.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'convenient meal', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a Japanese-style packed lunch, typically consisting of rice, fish or meat, and vegetables, arranged in a box.
She brought a bento to work for lunch.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42