supper

/ˈsʌpər/

noun★Beginner— evening meal

informal

A light evening meal, typically eaten after dinner or as a substitute for dinner

The children had a simple supper of sandwiches and fruit.

The kids ate a basic meal of sandwiches and fruit in the evening.

We skipped dinner and just had a late supper at the café.

They didn't eat dinner and instead had a late meal at the café.

💡

In some regions, 'supper' is used interchangeably with 'dinner,' but traditionally it refers to a lighter or later meal.

Collocations

have supperto eat the evening mealsupper timethe time when supper is eatensupper tablethe table where supper is served

a nightclub or restaurant where supper is served

a social gathering where supper is served

In some regions, 'supper' is used for a light meal after dinner, while in others, it means the main evening meal.

Use 'supper' in informal contexts; 'dinner' is more formal for the main evening meal.

From Middle English 'sopere,' meaning 'evening meal,' derived from Old French 'souper,' from Latin 'suppare' (to eat in the evening).

In American English, 'supper' is often used interchangeably with 'dinner,' while in British English, it may refer to a lighter meal after dinner.

sup

to eat or drink

root

-per

evening

suffix

English Dictionary