supper
3 synonyms for supper, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A light meal eaten in the evening, sometimes shortly before bed.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
evening meal
How to use supper
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Sunday supper
fish supper
have supper
Etymology
From Old French soper, related to sope ("soup") — the meal was originally associated with a light soup course. Compare French souper.
Full origin of supper →Frequently asked questions
What does “supper” mean?
The word “supper” means a light meal eaten in the evening, sometimes shortly before bed. In plain terms, the evening meal, sometimes lighter than a full dinner.
How do you pronounce “supper”?
“Supper” is pronounced SUH-puh (/ˈsʌpɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “supper” in a sentence?
Here is “supper” used in a sentence: “We had tea and toast for supper.”
What part of speech is “supper”?
“Supper” is a noun.
Where does the word “supper” come from?
The word “supper” comes from Old French. From Old French soper, related to sope ("soup") — the meal was originally associated with a light soup course. Compare French souper.
Is “supper” a common word?
“Supper” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “supper” have?
“Supper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a light meal eaten in the evening, sometimes shortly before bed.
What is the difference between supper and dinner?
"Dinner" is generally used for the main meal of the day, which can be at midday or in the evening depending on region and habit, while "supper" specifically refers to the evening meal, and in some usages implies a lighter meal eaten shortly before bed. In many households the two words are used interchangeably for the evening meal.
Is "supper" formal or informal?
"Supper" tends to sound homely, traditional, or regional rather than formal, and is common in certain dialects and older or rural usage where the evening meal is called supper rather than dinner. It is not typically used for a formal restaurant meal, where "dinner" is more standard.
What is the difference between supper and tea as words for an evening meal?
Both "supper" and "tea" can refer to an evening meal in certain British dialects, but "supper" more often implies the general evening meal or a light meal close to bedtime, while "tea" traditionally refers to an early evening meal, sometimes including tea itself as a drink. Usage of both terms varies significantly by region and household.
