What is it called when you eat at 3 PM? Exploring the Late Lunch and Dunch

November 19, 2025 •

3 min read

Historically, meal times have shifted significantly over centuries, with dinner once being a midday meal. But today, for those who find themselves asking what is it called when you eat at 3 PM, the answer is more flexible than you might think, ranging from a late lunch to neologisms like 'dunch' or 'linner'.

Quick Summary

A meal eaten around 3 PM is often classified as either a late lunch or an early dinner, depending on context. Colloquialisms like 'dunch' or 'linner' are also used to describe a meal consumed between traditional lunch and dinner times.

Key Points

Dunch and Linner: Unofficial portmanteaus like 'dunch' and 'linner' are sometimes used for a meal between lunch and dinner, though they are not in widespread use.
Late Lunch vs. Early Dinner: The best term depends on the meal's context, your schedule, and whether it is a heavier main meal or a lighter, smaller meal.
Mealtime Evolution: The conventional three-meal-a-day habit is a recent social construct, and historical dining schedules were much more varied.
Individual Variation: Personal preferences, work schedules, and hunger levels are the key factors determining when you eat and what you call it.
Health Considerations: Some studies suggest benefits to earlier eating, but personal timing remains important.
Not Brunch: While a similar blend of two meals, 'brunch' specifically refers to a meal combining breakfast and lunch, typically in the late morning, not the afternoon.

A Flexible Mealtime: Late Lunch or Early Dinner?

For most people, a meal at 3 PM doesn't fit neatly into the conventional three-meal-a-day structure. The timing places it beyond the typical lunch hour (12-2 PM) and before the standard dinner time (6-8 PM). This ambiguous window is often filled with a 'late lunch' or an 'early dinner,' with the distinction depending largely on a person's individual schedule, lifestyle, and appetite. The choice between these two descriptions often reflects whether it is a small, final meal of the afternoon or the main, first meal of the evening.

The Unofficial Terms: Dunch, Linner, and Lupper

As with the combination of breakfast and lunch leading to 'brunch,' there have been attempts to coin portmanteau words for the meal between lunch and dinner. Two of the most notable are 'dunch' and 'linner.'

Dunch: A blend of 'dinner' and 'lunch,' referring to a small meal in the late afternoon or early evening (around 3-5 PM). This lighter meal is often similar to lunch in its composition, featuring things like coffee and cookies, fruits, or a light salad.
Linner (or Lupper): This term combines 'lunch' and 'dinner' (or 'supper') and is used to describe a meal that is a late lunch but almost dinner. While these terms are not in general or official use, they reflect a recognition that modern eating habits don't always align with traditional meal definitions.

The Cultural and Historical Perspective

The three-meals-a-day pattern we know today is a relatively recent phenomenon, solidified during the Industrial Revolution to accommodate structured work hours. Historically, mealtimes were much more fluid. For instance, in 18th-century England, dinner was often eaten between 3 and 5 PM. The emergence of afternoon tea in the 19th century also highlights a historical precedent for an afternoon meal. The existence of these older meal structures and the emergence of modern neologisms demonstrate how dining practices are continually evolving to meet the needs of a changing society.

The Rise of Non-Traditional Meal Times

The proliferation of non-traditional schedules, from remote work to shift work, has pushed many people's eating patterns outside of standard hours. This makes terms like 'late lunch' or 'early dinner' more common, and for some, the specific time of 3 PM is simply when they take their main meal of the day. Factors like a later wake-up time, an extended morning of work, or cultural preferences can all influence this timing. Some research even suggests that earlier or more restricted eating windows may have health benefits, adding another layer of consideration to meal timing.

Comparison: Late Lunch vs. Early Dinner

The difference between classifying a 3 PM meal as a late lunch or an early dinner is nuanced. Below is a comparison to help clarify the distinction.


Feature	Late Lunch	Early Dinner
Timing	Post-standard lunch hours (after 2 PM), closer to 3 PM.	Pre-standard dinner hours (before 6 PM), closer to 5 PM.
Meal Size	Often lighter than a standard dinner, sometimes replacing a snack.	Can be a full, main meal of the day, sometimes replacing a supper.
Social Context	Often informal, solo, or a last-minute decision.	Can be more social, planned, or a family-style meal.
Culinary Origin	A midday meal that has been delayed.	An evening meal that has been moved forward in the day.
Energy Purpose	A way to refuel and sustain energy for the rest of the afternoon.	The primary meal of the evening, fueling activities until bedtime.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there is no single, universally accepted name for a meal at 3 PM. The most accurate description depends on personal context and schedule. It can be a simple late lunch, an early dinner, or a snack. For those who enjoy a more whimsical term, 'dunch' or 'linner' are fun portmanteaus. The evolving nature of meal times reflects our changing lifestyles and the move away from rigid dining schedules. Whether you call it a late lunch, an early dinner, or something else entirely, the important thing is that it satisfies your hunger and fits your day.

For more insight into the historical evolution of eating patterns, explore resources on the history of mealtimes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dunch is a portmanteau of the words 'dinner' and 'lunch.' It refers to a meal eaten in the late afternoon, typically between 3 PM and 5 PM. It is often a lighter meal, similar to a late lunch, and is not an officially recognized term.

No, eating lunch at 3 PM is not too late for many people. It is simply considered a 'late lunch.' The timing of meals is flexible and depends on your personal schedule, especially for those with later start times or who work non-traditional hours.

The distinction is mainly based on context. A late lunch is typically a delayed midday meal, while an early dinner is the main evening meal eaten ahead of schedule. The size and type of food can also differ, with a dinner often being more substantial.

Linner is another unofficial portmanteau, blending 'lunch' and 'dinner.' It's used to describe a meal that serves as both a very late lunch and an early dinner, particularly when it replaces both traditional meals in one sitting.

The rigid three-meal-a-day schedule is a social and cultural construct that gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution to accommodate work schedules. Before this, meal times were more varied and flexible across different social classes.

Some research suggests that eating earlier in the day, or within a condensed time window, may offer health benefits such as better blood sugar control and weight management. However, this is not a universal rule, and individual dietary needs vary.

While both 'brunch' and 'dunch' are portmanteaus for combined meals, they refer to different times of day. Brunch is the combination of breakfast and lunch, eaten in the late morning. Dunch refers to a meal between lunch and dinner in the afternoon.