The correct spelling of the word is lunchtime. However, you will also find the word spelled as lunch time in some dictionaries. Both spellings are correct and there is no difference in meaning between them. The word lunchtime is more common, though, so it is generally the preferred spelling. I will advise you to use ‘lunchtime’ instead of ‘lunch time’.
Why Avoid Lunch Time?
The reason to avoid using lunch time is that most dictionaries consider it a grammatical mistake. In general, you should always use the spelling that is most common, and in this case, lunchtime is much more common than lunch time.
The word lunchtime is a compound word, made up of the words lunch and time. When two words are combined to form a new word, they are usually written as one word. There are some exceptions to this rule, but in general, you should spell compound words as one word.
When to Use Lunch Time?
So when is it acceptable to use lunch time? While it is technically a mistake, there are some instances where using lunch time might be preferable. For example, if you are writing for a very informal audience or for a publication with a relaxed style guide, using lunch time might be perfectly acceptable.
Additionally, you might choose to use lunch time if you feel that it flows better in your sentence or sounds better when spoken aloud. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use lunch time is up to you as the writer. If you are unsure, though, it is always best to err on the side of caution and use lunchtime instead.
Lunchtime vs. Dinnertime
When deciding whether to write lunch time or lunchtime, it might be helpful to compare it to another compound word: dinner time. While both words are technically correct, you will almost never see dinner time spelled as two words. In general, when a compound word includes the word time, it is always written as one word. This rule doesn’t always apply, but it is a good guideline to follow.
So in the case of ‘Dinner time’ the most preferred and common spelling is ‘Dinnertime’ and in the case of ‘Lunch time’, the most preferred and common spelling is ‘Lunchtime’.
Lunchtime vs. Dinnertime vs. Suppertime
So, the same is the case for suppertime, we will avoid using supper time.
The correct spelling is ‘suppertime’.
Examples
1- She was late for work because she overslept and missed lunchtime.
2- The movie will start at suppertime.
3- I’m going to bed early tonight so I can get a good night’s sleep before dinnertime.
Breakfast Time
The correct spelling is ‘breakfast time’.
You will find this word spelled as ‘breakfast time’ more commonly than ‘break fast time’.
Examples
1- I’m going to make breakfast time special and cook my family a big breakfast.
2- Let’s go out for breakfast time! I know a great little place that has the best pancakes ever.
