Synonyms for Dinner
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team
Quick answer: Dinner refers to the main meal of the day, often eaten in the evening. Depending on the context, you can choose words that sound formal, casual, or specific to certain times. This list helps you find the perfect term for every situation involving your evening meal.
Closest Synonyms for Dinner
- supper
- Used for the evening meal, often in homes; Eat your warm supper now.
- repast
- A formal or literary term for a meal; Prepare a hearty repast for guests.
- midnight meal
- A late-night eating session; The midnight meal was full of snacks.
- main meal
- The largest meal of the day; This is our main meal for today.
- evening meal
- A meal eaten during the evening hours; Time for the evening meal.
- last meal
- The final eating opportunity before bed; The last meal is almost ready.
- feast
- A large and enjoyable meal; We are having a feast tonight.
- breaking bread
- Sharing a meal together; Let us break bread as friends.
- chow
- Informal slang for eating; Time to get some chow.
- tuck in
- To eat a meal, often eagerly; It is time to tuck in.
- eat up
- To consume food completely; Please eat up your dinner.
- dine
- To have a meal, often formally; We will dine at eight.
Formal Synonyms for Dinner
- banquet
- A large, formal meal with many courses; The banquet was held in the hall.
- concourse
- A formal meal, often in a specific setting; The concourse included fine wines.
- collation
- A light meal or refreshments; We shared a simple collation.
- gustation
- The act of tasting or dining; The gustation of the food was exquisite.
- meal
- A general term for eating; We will have a meal together.
- table
- The setting for a meal; The table was set for four.
- viand
- An item of food served at a meal; The viand was cooked with care.
Informal Synonyms for Dinner
- feed
- To give food to oneself or others; Time to feed.
- grub
- Slang for food or eating; Grab some grub.
- nosh
- Casual term for eating; Time to nosh.
- pop
- To eat quickly or casually; Pop a sandwich.
- snack
- A small informal meal; Time for a snack.
- tuck
- To eat comfortably; Tuck into the food.
- yummie
- A playful way to say food; Make some yummie.
- zest
- To enjoy eating with enthusiasm; Add zest to the meal.
Stronger and Weaker Words
- fare
- stronger, for food served at a specific occasion
- viands
- stronger, for fancy or elaborate dishes
- meals
- weaker, for general eating occasions
- consumption
- stronger, for formal discussion of eating
- refreshment
- stronger, for light food and drink served together
- titbit
- stronger, reserved for appetizing or small portions of food
- reprieve
- weaker, used metaphorically to describe breaking a long fast
Antonyms for Dinner
- breakfast
- lunch
- starvation
- hunger
- fasting
- skipping
- abstaining
- dieting
- avoiding
How to Pick the Right Synonym
Choosing the right word for dinner depends on the context and the tone you wish to convey. If you are writing a formal invitation, select words like banquet or repast to maintain elegance. For casual conversations with family or friends, simpler terms like supper, chow, or tuck in create a relaxed atmosphere. Always consider the time of day and the formality of the setting to ensure your choice fits naturally within the conversation or text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dinner and supper?
Dinner often refers to the main meal of the day, which can be eaten at lunch or evening. Supper typically means the evening meal, especially in homes where dinner might be served earlier or at a different time.
When should I use formal words for dinner?
Use formal words like banquet, repast, or collation when writing invitations, speeches, or stories that require a polite or sophisticated tone for the dining event.
Are there slang words for dinner?
Yes, many slang terms exist for dinner, such as chow, grub, or tuck in. These words are best used in informal settings with friends or family to sound casual and friendly.
Can dinner be the first meal of the day?
Yes, in some regions or cultures, dinner refers to the first or largest meal of the day, regardless of the time it is eaten, rather than strictly being an evening meal.
