ENGLISH
REFERENCE

supper

n. C / U
A2 Elementary US //ˈsəpɝ// UK //sˈʌpɐ// sup·per Slang

n. a light meal that you eat late in the evening. For some people, it is the main evening meal, while for others, it is just a small snack before bed.

n. a light evening meal, typically consumed in the late evening or before retiring for the night. Depending on regional dialect and social class, it may serve as the primary evening meal or a secondary, lighter snack.


SIMPLE

We usually have a light supper around nine o'clock.

CONTEXTUAL

After the theater performance, the group gathered at a local bistro for a late-night supper of soup and bread.

COMPLEX

While the family traditionally ate their main meal at midday, they maintained the habit of a modest supper consisting of tea and sandwiches before the household settled for the evening.

Etymology 1

From Middle English soper, from Old French soper, from sope (“soup”). Compare French souper.

Etymology 2

From sup + -er.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the meal in general ('after supper'); countable when referring to a specific event or instance ('a church supper').

Idioms1 entry

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