Supper

Supper is the evening meal. The term's meaning and timing vary by region. In many parts of North America and the United Kingdom, supper denotes a lighter, informal meal eaten in the early evening, while dinner may refer to the main daily meal and can be consumed at midday or in the evening depending on local customs. Some communities use the terms interchangeably.

Historically, dinner was the main daily meal, often taken around midday, with supper serving as a lighter evening repast. As work schedules and social norms changed, the practice of having a large midday meal declined in some regions, and the meanings of supper and dinner shifted accordingly.

Foods served at supper range from simple leftovers or sandwiches to more substantial hot dishes, depending on culture and household. The meal commonly provides a setting for family or social gathering and may be accompanied by beverages and conversation.

Etymology: The word supper derives from the verb to sup, from Old French souper, with roots in the older English and Romance language history of eating in the evening.

Today, usage varies: in rural areas of some countries, supper remains the preferred term for an evening meal, while urban usage often equates it with dinner. The distinction is increasingly blended in contemporary speech.