Feast vs. Dinner — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 22, 2024
Feast implies a large, elaborate meal often celebrating a special occasion, while dinner refers to the main meal of the day, which can be simple or formal.
Difference Between Feast and Dinner
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A feast typically involves an extensive spread of food and drinks, meant for celebration and communal enjoyment. On the other hand, dinner is a more routine meal that may not have the same scale or festive connotation.
Feasts are often associated with specific rituals, cultural or religious events, such as weddings or festivals. Whereas, dinner is a daily meal that may not necessarily connect to a larger cultural or celebratory context.
The preparation for a feast usually involves elaborate planning and multiple dishes, emphasizing abundance and variety. Conversely, dinner preparations can be more modest and focused on meeting daily nutritional needs.
The social aspect of a feast is significant, often serving as a gathering point for large groups, strengthening communal ties. In contrast, dinner might be a more intimate affair, typically enjoyed with family or close friends.
Feasting has historical roots in grand celebrations and is symbolically rich, often signifying abundance and prosperity. Dinner, while it can be special, generally lacks this symbolic depth and is more about sustenance and routine.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A large, elaborate meal for many people.
The main meal of the day, usually in the evening.
Occasion
Often marks celebrations or special events.
Daily occurrence, not necessarily linked to events.
Scale
Large with multiple dishes and often lavish.
Can range from simple to formal, but usually less extensive than a feast.
Social Context
Large gatherings, community or family oriented.
Typically enjoyed with family or a small group of people.
Symbolic Meaning
Abundance, prosperity, celebration.
Daily nourishment, family bonding.
Compare with Definitions
Feast
A gathering involving eating, drinking, and entertainment.
They prepared a medieval-themed feast for the history club.
Dinner
A formal meal in honor of some person or event.
The company hosts an annual dinner for all its employees.
Feast
A religious or ceremonial meal shared among many.
The feast of Eid is celebrated with communal prayers and social meals.
Dinner
The main meal of the day, typically in the evening.
We have dinner around six every evening.
Feast
A large and elaborate meal celebrating a special occasion.
The village held a feast to celebrate the harvest.
Dinner
A meal to which guests are formally invited.
The senator was invited to a dinner at the ambassador’s residence.
Feast
An event characterized by excessive enjoyment and hospitality.
Their wedding feast went on well into the night.
Dinner
The food prepared for a dinner meal.
Dinner was roast chicken and vegetables.
Feast
A meal with abundant food and drink, often luxurious.
The king’s feast included exotic dishes from across the lands.
Dinner
Any meal eaten in the evening; supper.
Tonight’s dinner will be homemade pizza.
Feast
A large, elaborately prepared meal, usually for many persons and often accompanied by entertainment; a banquet.
Dinner
Dinner usually refers to what is in many Western cultures the largest and most formal meal of the day, which some Westerners eat in the evening. Historically, the largest meal used to be eaten around midday, and called dinner.
Feast
A meal that is well prepared and abundantly enjoyed.
Dinner
The chief meal of the day, eaten in the evening or at midday.
Feast
A periodic religious festival commemorating an event or honoring a god or saint.
Dinner
A banquet or formal meal in honor of a person or event.
Feast
Something giving great pleasure or satisfaction
A book that is a veritable feast for the mind.
Dinner
The food prepared for either of these meals.
Feast
To give a feast for; entertain or feed sumptuously
Feasted the guests on venison.
Dinner
A full-course meal served at a fixed price; table d'hôte.
Feast
To partake of a feast; eat heartily.
Dinner
A midday meal in a context in which the evening meal is called supper or tea.
Feast
To experience something with gratification or delight
Feasted on the view.
Dinner
The main meal of the day, often eaten in the evening.
Feast
A very large meal, often of a ceremonial nature.
We had a feast to celebrate the harvest.
Dinner
An evening meal.
I had some friends to dinner two nights ago.
Feast
Something delightful
It was a feast for the eyes.
Dinner
A meal given to an animal.
Give the dog its dinner.
Feast
A festival; a holy day or holiday; a solemn, or more commonly, a joyous, anniversary.
Dinner
A formal meal for many people eaten for a special occasion.
Feast
(intransitive) To partake in a feast, or large meal.
I feasted on turkey and dumplings.
Dinner
(uncountable) The food provided or consumed at any such meal.
Feast
(intransitive) To dwell upon (something) with delight.
Dinner
(intransitive) To eat a dinner; to dine.
Feast
(transitive) To hold a feast in honor of (someone).
We feasted them after the victory.
Dinner
(transitive) To provide (someone) with a dinner; to dine.
Feast
To serve as a feast for; to feed sumptuously.
Dinner
The principal meal of the day, eaten in some countries about midday, but in others (especially in the U. S. and in large cities) at a later hour.
Feast
A festival; a holiday; a solemn, or more commonly, a joyous, anniversary.
The seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Dinner
An entertainment; a feast.
A grand political dinner.
Feast
A festive or joyous meal; a grand, ceremonious, or sumptuous entertainment, of which many guests partake; a banquet characterized by tempting variety and abundance of food.
Enough is as good as a feast.
Belshazzar the King made a great feast to a thousand of his lords.
Dinner
The main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday;
Dinner will be at 8
On Sundays they had a large dinner when they returned from church
Feast
That which is partaken of, or shared in, with delight; something highly agreeable; entertainment.
The feast of reason, and the flow of soul.
Dinner
A party of people assembled to have dinner together;
Guests should never be late to a dinner party
Feast
To eat sumptuously; to dine or sup on rich provisions, particularly in large companies, and on public festivals.
And his sons went and feasted in their houses.
Feast
To be highly gratified or delighted.
With my love's picture then my eye doth feast.
Feast
To entertain with sumptuous provisions; to treat at the table bountifully; as, he was feasted by the king.
Feast
To delight; to gratify; as, to feast the soul.
Feast your ears with the music a while.
Feast
A ceremonial dinner party for many people
Feast
Something experienced with great delight;
A feast for the eyes
Feast
A meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed;
A banquet for the graduating seniors
The Thanksgiving feast
They put out quite a spread
Feast
An elaborate party (often outdoors)
Feast
Partake in a feast or banquet
Feast
Provide a feast or banquet for
Feast
Gratify;
Feed one's eyes on a gorgeous view
Common Curiosities
What typically constitutes a feast?
A feast typically includes multiple courses with an abundance of food and drink, often for celebration.
Can a dinner be considered a feast?
Yes, if a dinner is particularly lavish and serves a large group, it can be considered a feast.
What are common occasions for a feast?
Common occasions include religious festivals, weddings, and significant communal or family events.
How does the purpose of dinner differ from that of a feast?
Dinner primarily focuses on daily nourishment, while a feast serves to mark special occasions with greater celebration.
What foods are typically served at a feast?
Foods at a feast can vary widely but often include specialties or culturally significant dishes.
What makes a dinner special?
Special dinners may celebrate events like anniversaries or promotions, often featuring finer food or guests.
How is dinner different from other meals of the day?
Dinner is usually the heaviest meal and is eaten in the evening.
How are feasts prepared compared to daily dinners?
Feasts require more extensive preparation and resources compared to everyday dinners.
Are there health implications associated with feasts?
Feasts, often indulgent, may diverge from daily nutritional habits, which could have health implications if frequent.
Who typically attends a feast?
Feasts are usually attended by larger groups, often including extended family, friends, or community members.
Is dinner always a formal affair?
No, dinner can range from a simple family meal to a formal event, depending on the context.
Can dinner be informal?
Yes, dinners can be very informal, such as a casual meal at home with family.
How can one make a dinner resemble a feast?
To make a dinner resemble a feast, one might include multiple courses, elaborate dishes, or invite more guests.
What role does culture play in defining a feast?
Cultural traditions heavily influence the food, rituals, and significance of a feast.
Is it expensive to host a feast?
Hosting a feast can be costly due to the need for abundant food, drink, and often decorations or entertainment.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
