Dinner: meaning, definitions and examples

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dinner

 

[ ˈdɪnər ]

Context #1 | Noun

meal time

The main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening. It can vary in size and composition but is usually a substantial meal consisting of a variety of dishes.

Synonyms

evening meal, main meal, supper

Examples of usage

  • We usually have dinner around 7 pm.
  • For dinner, we had roast chicken with vegetables and mashed potatoes.
Context #2 | Noun

social gathering

A formal evening meal, often accompanied by entertainment or speeches. It is a social occasion where people come together to enjoy food and company.

Synonyms

banquet, feast, reception

Examples of usage

  • The charity event included a three-course dinner and live music.
  • We are hosting a dinner party for our friends next weekend.

Translations

Translations of the word "dinner" in other languages:

🇵🇹 jantar

🇮🇳 रात का खाना

🇩🇪 Abendessen

🇮🇩 makan malam

🇺🇦 вечеря

🇵🇱 kolacja

🇯🇵 夕食 (yūshoku)

🇫🇷 dîner

🇪🇸 cena

🇹🇷 akşam yemeği

🇰🇷 저녁 식사 (jeonyeok siksa)

🇸🇦 عشاء (asha)

🇨🇿 večeře

🇸🇰 večera

🇨🇳 晚餐 (wǎncān)

🇸🇮 večerja

🇮🇸 kvöldmatur

🇰🇿 кешкі ас (keshki as)

🇬🇪 ვახშამი (vakhshami)

🇦🇿 axşam yeməyi

🇲🇽 cena

Etymology

The word 'dinner' originated from the Old French word 'disner', which meant 'breakfast'. Over time, the meaning shifted to refer to the main meal of the day. In medieval times, the word 'dinner' referred to the first meal of the day, while 'supper' was the last meal. As societal eating habits changed, 'dinner' became associated with the evening meal.

See also: dine, diner.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,318, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.