tiffin

¹ American  

[tif-in] / ˈtɪf ɪn /

noun

1. a light midday meal; lunch

---

verb (used without object)

1. to eat a light midday meal.

verb (used with object)

1. to provide a light meal for; serve lunch to.

Tiffin ² American  

[tif-in] / ˈtɪf ɪn /

noun

1. a city in N Ohio.

---

tiffin British  

/ ˈtɪfɪn /

noun

1. (in India) a light meal, esp one taken at midday

---

Etymology

Origin of tiffin

First recorded in 1800–05; variant of tiffing (unattested), equivalent to tiff (obsolete) “to sip, drink, snack between meals” + -ing ¹

Explanation

In India, a tiffin is a meal eaten any time between breakfast and dinner. The round metal lunchbox it often comes in is also called a tiffin, and it's a handy container for packing a hot lunch. During the period of British rule in India, the British custom of afternoon tea merged with the Indian custom of a light afternoon meal. It came to be called tiffin, after the English slang tiffing, "to take a little drink." In Northern India, tiffin is basically lunch, often one packed in a tiered metal lunchbox also called a tiffin. People who sell pre-packed tiffins are called tiffin wallahs or dabbawalas.

Example Sentences

"He is alive because I didn't give him tiffin," she said.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

Rashim, who is fond of thriller TV shows, watches a local Indian serial on his smartphone while his oldest son, a young teenager, shows up with a tiffin, or lunchbox.

From Slate • Aug. 5, 2022

There are Indian tiffin carriers, ghee pots, woks, a noodle press and falafel molds.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2021

As we wait for him to return, a local municipality van pulls over and people in orange uniforms unload metal tiffin containers with hot food ready for distribution.

From The Guardian • Jun. 12, 2020

"It will be," Ma answers, handing him the tiffin box of lunch she packs in the mornings.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• light meal