Phrase guide

free lunch

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Something obtained without any payment, obligation or effort.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

something acquired without effort or payment or obligation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • there is no free lunch in politics or Hollywood

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: gift

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: gratis bier — Translations
  • Polish: darmowa rzecz — Translations