combo
KOM-boh
/ˈkɒm.bəʊ/
A meal combination packaged together and sold as a single bundled item, typically including a main dish, side, and drink.
Shortened form of 'combination'; widely used on fast-food menus to offer convenience and slight savings.
The story behind the word. Originating in 1920s American jazz slang as an abbreviation for 'combination' (referring to small musical bands), 'combo' entered fast-food menus in the 1970s to describe bundled order sets pairing main entrees with sides and drinks.
Word relationships
- value meal: 'Value meal' is a marketing term emphasizing savings, while 'combo' simply denotes the bundled combination.
- set menu: 'Set menu' is used in formal restaurants to describe a multi-course meal at a fixed price.
- a la carte: 'A la carte' refers to purchasing each food item individually at its separate price.
Commonly confused with
- platter: A platter is a single large dish holding multiple foods, while a combo is a bundled order containing distinct items like drinks and sides.
Collocations
- combo meal
- number three combo
- value combo
- combo discount
Example sentences
- "I'll take the burger combo with fries and a medium soda, please." Selecting an option off a fast-food menu board.
- "Ordering the combo saved two dollars compared to buying the sandwich, side, and drink separately." Describing value meal bundles.
Memory hook
COMBiNation reduced to COMBO. Main dish, side, and drink bundled as one.
When not to use
Do not use for items ordered individually selected a la carte.
Fun facts
- Numbered combo meals were invented to speed up ordering lines by reducing decision-making time.
- Fast-food chains frequently renumber their combo meals to highlight high-margin new items.
Explore more words
prix fixe, pairing, convenience, refreshments, beverage, compact
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