noun · verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈdɪnə/
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:dĭnʹər
US:/ˈdɪnɚ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Caribbean:/ˈdɪnːa/
rhymes with -ɪnə(ɹ)
rhymes with -iːnə(ɹ)
CMU ARPABET:D IH1 N ER0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The main meal of the day, often eaten in the evening.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
I had an early dinner because the breakfast in this hostel is superb.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An evening meal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
I had some friends to dinner two nights ago.
Do I have to change for dinner?
We're about to start dinner. Phone again later.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A midday meal (in a context in which the evening meal is called supper or tea).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A meal given to an animal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
Give the dog its dinner.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A formal meal for many people eaten for a special occasion.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
My family gathers twice a year, namely at Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
The food provided or consumed at any such meal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To eat a dinner; to dine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
verb
Meaning 8
To provide (someone) with a dinner; to dine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
1887, Caroline Emily Cameron, A Devout Lover, London: F.V. White & Co., Volume 1, Chapter 11, p. 181, She had taken her about to concerts and exhibitions—she had dinnered her at the Colonies, and suppered her at the New Club.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
dinner will be at 8
on Sundays they had a large dinner when they returned from church
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: meal, repast
Narrower terms: high tea
10
noun
Meaning 10
a party of people assembled to have dinner together
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
guests should never be late to a dinner party
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: dinner party
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: party
Narrower terms: banquet, feast, beanfeast
History
Etymology
From Middle English dyner, from Old French disner (“lunch”, but originally “breakfast”), (modern French dîner), from Vulgar Latin *disiūnō, *disiūnāre from Latin dis- + iēiūnō (“to break the fast”).
Across languages
Translations
268 source translations are retained for this English entry.