Supper vs Dinner
What’s the difference between them?
Supper
Meaning:
A meal eaten late in the evening, typically the last one of the day.
Examples:
1. I'm looking forward to eating supper with my family tonight.
2. What shall we make for supper?
3. We usually have supper around 6 o'clock.
Dinner
Meaning:
A meal typically eaten in the evening.
Examples:
1. I'm making dinner for my family this evening.
2. We had a delicious dinner at the new restaurant.
3. We always eat dinner together as a family.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Supper
1. Dinner
2. Meal
3. Repast
4. Late night snack
5. After-dark feast
1. Breakfast
2. Starvation
3. Pre-lunch
4. Abstain
5. Fast
Dinner
1. Supper
2. Repast
3. Evening Meal
4. Banquet
5. Culinary Delight
1. Breakfast
2. Starvation
3. Fasting
4. Lunch
5. Supper
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Supper", "Dinner".
1. Supper and Dinner are often used interchangeably to refer to the evening meal. However, in some countries, the words have different contextual meanings.
2. In the United States and Canada, the words are typically used interchangeably to refer to the evening meal.
3. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other commonwealth countries, supper is typically used to refer to a light meal eaten late at night, whereas dinner is used to refer to a larger meal that is eaten in the middle of the day.
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Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word 'supper' be used?
Supper is typically used to describe the evening meal, which is often the last meal of the day. It may be used to refer to a light meal or snack eaten later in the evening or after a late night out. Generally speaking, supper is a less formal affair than dinner.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word 'dinner'?
Dinner is typically considered the main meal of the day, eaten in the evening or afternoon. It is usually the most substantial meal of the day and is usually eaten at a dining table in the home. It may consist of multiple courses including an appetizer, main course, and dessert.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words have slightly different pronunciations. The word 'supper' is pronounced /ˈsʌpər/, while the word 'dinner' is pronounced /ˈdɪnər/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make is using 'dinner' to refer to the evening meal. While dinner is the main meal of the day, 'supper' is the traditional term for the late-night meal. Another mistake people make is using 'supper' to refer to an evening meal in a formal setting. In such situations, the more appropriate term to use is 'dinner'.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I usually eat a big __________ after a long day.
2. The __________ I had last night was delicious!
3. My grandparents always insist on a formal __________ together.
4. We are having __________ at 6 oclock tonight.
5. Im not sure what I should serve for __________.
6. We rarely go out to eat __________.
1. I usually eat a big dinner after a long day.
Explanation: The word dinner is used to refer to the main meal of the day, which is traditionally eaten in the evening.
2. The supper I had last night was delicious!
Explanation: The word supper is used to refer to a light meal that is typically eaten in the early evening or late afternoon, and is the last meal of the day.
3. My grandparents always insist on a formal dinner together.
Explanation: The word dinner is used to refer to a larger, more formal meal usually eaten in the evening, which is typically eaten together with family or friends.
4. We are having dinner at 6 oclock tonight.
Explanation: The word dinner is used to refer to the main meal of the day, which is traditionally eaten in the evening.
5. Im not sure what I should serve for supper.
Explanation: The word supper is used to refer to a light meal that is typically eaten in the early evening or late afternoon, and is the last meal of the day.
6. We rarely go out to eat dinner.
Explanation: The word dinner is used to refer to the main meal of the day, which is traditionally eaten in the evening.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.