suppertime: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediuminformal, everyday
Quick answer
What does “suppertime” mean?
The time of day when supper is typically eaten.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The time of day when supper is typically eaten.
Can refer to the social or family gathering around the evening meal, or metaphorically to a period of relaxation or daily conclusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'supper' can denote a light evening meal or late snack, while in American English, it often refers to the evening meal, especially in rural or older usage. 'Dinner' is more common for the main evening meal in both varieties.
Connotations
In BrE, it may sound old-fashioned or regional; in AmE, it is common in certain dialects and family settings.
Frequency
More frequently used in American English than in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “suppertime” in a Sentence
It is suppertime.We eat at suppertime.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; not typical in business contexts.
Academic
Not commonly used in academic writing; more found in literary or descriptive passages.
Everyday
Common in family and home settings, e.g., discussing meal plans or daily routines.
Technical
Not applicable; no technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “suppertime”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suppertime”
- Misspelling as 'super time'
- Using it in formal contexts where 'dinner time' might be preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always; it depends on regional and family traditions. In some contexts, 'supper' is a lighter meal than 'dinner', so 'suppertime' may refer to a different time or meal.
It is generally informal and best used in everyday, literary, or descriptive contexts rather than formal writing.
In American English, it is pronounced as /ˈsʌpɚˌtaɪm/, with a rhotic 'r' sound.
Common collocations include 'at suppertime', 'around suppertime', 'before suppertime', and 'after suppertime'.
The time of day when supper is typically eaten.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Combine 'supper' + 'time' to remember it's the time for supper.
Conceptual Metaphor
Time as a container for daily rituals; mealtime as a symbol of family unity.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'suppertime' primarily refer to?