Understanding Dinner and Supper: A Simple Guide to Evening Meals

Difference Between Dinner and Supper

The words dinner and supper both talk about a meal. They are often used for the evening meal, but they have different histories and can mean different things in different places.

History of the Words

Dinner is from the Latin word disjejunare, which means “to break a fast.” It was used for the main meal of the day. Supper comes from Old French “souper,” which means to eat this meal in the evening.

How to Use Them

Dinner

In many places, dinner is now the evening meal. It can also be the main meal, which might be at lunchtime.

• We have dinner at 6 PM every night.
• She is eating dinner with her family today.
• The dinner at the party was delicious.
• Is everyone ready for dinner?
• They invited us over for dinner on Sunday.

Supper

Supper is usually a lighter evening meal. It might be used after dinner.

• We have a light supper before bed.
• Grandma always called the last meal supper.
• Let’s have supper at 7 PM.
• They prefer supper at home.
• Supper was a bowl of soup and bread.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Think of dinner as a bigger, main meal. Supper is lighter and often the last meal of the day.

Summary

Both dinner and supper can mean the evening meal, but dinner can also be a bigger, main meal. Supper is sometimes lighter and eaten later. Remember, where you live might have different meanings.