Supper is the evening meal, typically eaten later in the day after work and school are done. In many families, supper is when everyone gathers around the table to eat together and talk about their day. Some people use supper and dinner to mean the same thing, but traditionally, supper refers to a lighter, more casual evening meal, while dinner can mean either the main meal of the day (whenever that happens to be) or a more formal evening meal.

On farms long ago, families would eat their biggest meal (dinner) at noon when they came in from morning work, then have a smaller supper before bed. Today, most families eat their main meal in the evening, so the distinction matters less.

You might hear people say they're having supper at Grandma's house or that it's time to come in for supper. The word often carries a warm, homey feeling, suggesting a relaxed meal with family rather than a fancy restaurant dinner. In some parts of America, especially the South and rural areas, people prefer supper over dinner for their everyday evening meals.