elevenses

[ ih-lev-uhn-ziz ]

noun

, (usually used with a plural verb)

1. a midmorning break for refreshments:

   They paused for tea and muffins at elevenses.

2. the refreshments taken; a midmorning snack:

   Elevenses were not ready to be served.

elevenses

/ ɪˈlɛvənzɪz /

plural noun

1. informal.
   sometimes functioning as singular a light snack, usually with tea or coffee, taken mid-morning

Word History and Origins

Origin of elevenses¹

First recorded in 1840–65; originally dialect; doubly pluralized form of eleven, perhaps as ellipsis of eleven hours (eleven o'clock)

Example Sentences

For late lunchers or those with particularly high-stakes mornings, maybe the elevenses, which occurs at 11 a.m., is a better fit.

From New York Times

Rory, I’m going to pass your email on to Rob - he eats those questions for elevenses.

From The Guardian

Vinson was alone for 10 weeks in lockdown, and used to “get a nice napkin out”, as a way to turn his elevenses snack into a proper treat.

From The Guardian

"In a village everybody knows everybody. So if one person has a secret, it is quite likely five other people will know it. Someone is murdered at breakfast everyone knows by elevenses," Horowitz says of the village's appeal for story-tellers.

From BBC

Meanwhile, the UK’s powerful ability to get on its high horse about elevenses kicked into gear.

From The Guardian