What is the difference between a lunch and a luncheon?

In my opinion a luncheon is a get together with co-workers to either duscuss work or just for morale purposes. A lunch is just that… a general term for the meal between breakfast and dinner.

A luncheon is more of a formal event versus lunch which is a meal.
You can have lunch at a luncheon.

Originally this word, luncheon, denoted a ‘slight repast’ or snack eaten between meal times, particularly between breakfast and dinner (dinner, of course, meaning what we refer to today as lunch).

It can also, however, simply be synonymous with the word lunch, which obviously denotes the meal taken in the early afternoon, but a meal which is less formal than supper (or what we now call dinner).

Though they are interchangeable, then, luncheon is the more formal choice when speaking/writing. This is how people come to associate formal lunches or themed-lunches or gatherings or whatever with the word, but the definition does not necessarily dictate this discrepancy.

A luncheon usually has a specific theme or purpose. It can have speakers, a fashion show, be a charitable event.

Lunch is short for luncheon. Thus, lunch is informal and luncheon is formal. A luncheon can also be an afternoon party at which a light meal is served. In any case, you might have lunch barefoot and wearing jeans, but you dress up to go to a luncheon.

The percentage of old women.

Women in shirtwaist dresses and high heels attend a luncheon. They are served chicken a la king on toast points and jello salad with iced tea.

GA @janbb

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple,,,,,

Lunch is to luncheon what pants are to pantaloons. It’s just a shorthand version of the same thing.

@AC Really? Then I would like a new picture of you in pantaloons added to your Fluther interview!

If I’m invited to a “luncheon,” I know I will be asked for a donation to the organization hosting it! If I’m invited to lunch, I will end up BS’íng with my friends over a couple of slices of pizza and a diet Coke™. I just like typing™, by the way.

And that is the difference between “lunch” and “luncheon” to me.

Luncheons are work related, or have a topic and agenda.
If you can’t talk about your experiences in Bangkok while you were in the navy, it’s a luncheon.

I just though of one difference. Lunch can be used as a verb as in the Cole Porter song, Miss Otis Regrets (she’s unable to lunch today).

An ‘e,’ an ‘o,’ and an ‘n.’ kidding, kidding! Good question, I have also wonderded the same thing! :-)

@AstroChuck But luncheon can be used as a verb and a preposition, i.e.,

“Why don’t we luncheon the lawn?”

<<rimshot>>

This is actually a joke. The answer to the question, “what’s the difference between a lunch and a luncheon?” is: $5 dollars.