Super vs. Dinner — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 17, 2024
Super denotes something of superior quality or performance, while dinner refers to the main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening.
Difference Between Super and Dinner
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Super describes something exceptionally good or superior. It is often used as a prefix to enhance the meaning of words, indicating higher quality or better performance. For instance, a "supercar" refers to a high-performance vehicle, while "superhuman" denotes extraordinary abilities. Dinner, on the other hand, is a term for the main meal of the day, generally consumed in the evening. It often involves more substantial dishes compared to other meals like lunch or breakfast. Dinner is a key social event in many cultures, often bringing family and friends together.
While super is an adjective or prefix indicating excellence, dinner is a noun referring to a specific meal. Super is abstract and subjective, based on quality or performance, whereas dinner is concrete and routine, based on daily eating habits.
In usage, super can modify a wide range of nouns, adding a sense of enhancement, such as "supermarket" (a large self-service grocery store). Dinner, however, stands alone as a specific event in daily life, often following a social or cultural tradition.
Super can also be used informally to express enthusiasm, such as in "That’s super!" meaning "That’s great!" Dinner does not have such flexible informal uses and is more straightforward in its meaning.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Indicates superior quality
Main evening meal
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Part of Speech
Adjective, prefix
Noun
Usage Context
Describes quality or performance
Daily meal routine
Abstract/Concrete
Abstract (quality)
Concrete (specific meal)
Informal Use
Can be used to express enthusiasm
Limited to its primary meaning
Compare with Definitions
Super
Superior in quality.
The hotel offered super service.
Dinner
A formal meal or banquet.
The charity dinner was a success.
Super
Very good or pleasant.
We had a super time at the park.
Dinner
The main meal of the day, eaten in the evening.
We had pasta for dinner.
Super
Used for emphasis.
That’s super interesting!
Dinner
The largest meal of the day.
On Sundays, we have an early dinner.
Super
Excellent or outstanding.
The concert was super!
Dinner
A meal taken at the end of the day.
After a long day, I look forward to dinner.
Super
Prefix indicating higher status or quality.
He drives a supercar.
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.
Super
An article or a product of superior size, quality, or grade.
Dinner
The chief meal of the day, eaten in the evening or at midday.
Super
A superintendent in an apartment or office building.
Dinner
A banquet or formal meal in honor of a person or event.
Super
A supernumerary.
Dinner
The food prepared for either of these meals.
Super
Very large, great, or extreme
"yet another super Skyscraper" (Dylan Thomas).
Dinner
A full-course meal served at a fixed price; table d'hôte.
Super
Excellent; first-rate
A super party.
Dinner
A midday meal in a context in which the evening meal is called supper or tea.
Super
Especially; extremely
A super accurate missile.
Was super careful.
Dinner
The main meal of the day, often eaten in the evening.
Super
Of excellent quality, superfine.
Dinner
An evening meal.
I had some friends to dinner two nights ago.
Super
Better than average, better than usual; wonderful.
Dinner
A meal given to an animal.
Give the dog its dinner.
Super
(informal) Very; extremely (used like the prefix super-).
The party was super awesome.
Dinner
A formal meal for many people eaten for a special occasion.
Super
(beekeeping) superhive
Dinner
(uncountable) The food provided or consumed at any such meal.
Super
, especially, a building's resident manager sometimes clarified as “building super”.
Dinner
(intransitive) To eat a dinner; to dine.
Super
(neologism) nodot=1, especially as distinguished from bright.
Dinner
(transitive) To provide (someone) with a dinner; to dine.
Super
; (theatre) specifically, a supernumerary actor.
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.
Super
(beekeeping) superhive
Dinner
An entertainment; a feast.
A grand political dinner.
Super
(television) superimpose
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
Super
A contraction of Supernumerary, in sense 2.
Dinner
A party of people assembled to have dinner together;
Guests should never be late to a dinner party
Super
A caretaker for an apartment house; represents the owner as janitor and rent collector
Dinner
An evening meal shared with family or guests.
We invited friends over for dinner.
Super
Of the highest quality;
An ace reporter
A crack shot
A first-rate golfer
A super party
Played top-notch tennis
An athlete in tiptop condition
She is absolutely tops
Super
Including more than a specified category;
A super experiment
Super
Extremely large;
Another super skyscraper
Super
To an extreme degree;
The house was super clean for Mother's visit
Common Curiosities
When is dinner typically eaten?
Dinner is usually eaten in the evening.
Is dinner the main meal of the day?
Yes, it is typically considered the main meal.
Can "super" be used as a prefix?
Yes, it can enhance the meaning of words, like "superhero."
Can "super" describe people?
Yes, for example, "superhuman" describes someone with extraordinary abilities.
Can "super" refer to non-physical attributes?
Yes, such as "super smart" referring to intelligence.
What time is dinner usually served?
It is typically served in the evening.
What does "super" mean?
It means superior in quality or performance.
How is "super" used in daily language?
It describes something of high quality or to express enthusiasm.
Does "super" have informal uses?
Yes, it can express enthusiasm, like "That’s super!"
What types of food are usually served at dinner?
Dinner can include a variety of dishes, often more substantial than lunch.
Is dinner a formal or informal meal?
It can be both; it depends on the context and occasion.
Is dinner a social event?
Often, yes, it brings people together.
Is dinner more substantial than other meals?
Generally, yes, it often includes more significant dishes.
Can "super" be used in marketing?
Yes, it’s often used to highlight superior products, like "super sale."
What is the significance of dinner in culture?
Dinner is significant as it often serves as a time for family and social gatherings.
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Written by
Maham LiaqatEdited 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.