supper
UK: ˈsʌpə | US: ˈsʌpər
n. the main evening meal, especially a light or informal one
The word supper traces back to Old French souper, which referred to an evening meal, particularly one involving soup or liquid-based dishes. This term was adopted into Middle English as soper, evolving into supper with the same meaning. The Germanic root sup- implies consumption, often linked to sipping or drinking, reflecting the lighter, often soup-centric nature of the meal. Over time, supper generalized to denote any evening meal, though it retains connotations of informality compared to dinner.
We had a simple supper of soup and bread.
She invited friends over for supper after the movie.
In some regions, supper is served later than dinner.
He skipped supper because he wasn’t hungry.
The hotel offers a complimentary supper for guests.