dinnertime
When families gather
Dinnertime is the hour when dinner is typically eaten.
The actual time varies by culture, region, and household—anywhere from late afternoon to late evening.
Is it dinnertime already?
The word often signals a transition in the day's activities: work stops, family gathers, screens get put away.
Plan of timed events
- preparationArranging things in advance
- cookingPreparing food with heat
- setting the tableArranging utensils for dining
- cleanupRestoration of order
dishwashing · serving · grace · washing up · putting away · mealtime · punctual · nightly
State of close connection
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- bondingForming close connections
- homecomingReturning to one's origin
reunion · tradition · siblings · parents · children · grandparents · relatives · kinship
Day yielding to darkness
- twilightLight after sunset
- nightfallOnset of darkness
- duskDimming after sundown
- candlelightLuminescence from burning wick
gloaming · eventide · afterglow · shadows · lanterns · dimness · moonrise · six o'clock
Light dish preceding main
- entreePrimary dinner course
- dessertSweet course after dinner
- main coursePrimary dish served
- side dishSecondary food portion
salad · soup · servings · portion · plate · courses · starter · seconds
Under the dishes
- cutleryEating implements collectively
- silverwareMetal eating utensils
- napkinsMealtime wiping cloths
- tableclothFabric dining surface protector
dishes · glasses · centerpiece · place setting · candles · salt and pepper · gravy boat · trivet
Formal celebratory meal
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
- barbecueSlow-cook over coals
- buffetSelf-service meal display
- spreadTo distribute widely
celebration · gala · luau · clambake · smorgasbord · thanksgiving · reception · fiesta
schedule
Plan of timed events
- preparationArranging things in advance
- cookingPreparing food with heat
- setting the tableArranging utensils for dining
cleanup · dishwashing · serving · grace · washing up · putting away · mealtime · punctual · nightly · habitual
togetherness
State of close connection
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- bondingForming close connections
homecoming · reunion · tradition · siblings · parents · children · grandparents · relatives · kinship · nurturing
sunset
Day yielding to darkness
candlelight · gloaming · eventide · afterglow · shadows · lanterns · dimness · moonrise · six o'clock · seven o'clock
appetizer
Light dish preceding main
- entreePrimary dinner course
- dessertSweet course after dinner
- main coursePrimary dish served
side dish · salad · soup · servings · portion · plate · courses · starter · seconds · leftovers
placemats
Under the dishes
- cutleryEating implements collectively
- silverwareMetal eating utensils
- napkinsMealtime wiping cloths
tablecloth · dishes · glasses · centerpiece · place setting · candles · salt and pepper · gravy boat · trivet
banquet
Formal celebratory meal
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
- barbecueSlow-cook over coals
- buffetSelf-service meal display
spread · celebration · gala · luau · clambake · smorgasbord · thanksgiving · reception · fiesta · cookout
- dinnertimeevening meal, table, family gathering, dining room, plates
- householdhome, house, kitchen, apartment, bathroom
- nighttimemidnight, nightfall, night sky, nighttime, starry sky
- Timesmorning, afternoon, evening, night, noon
- PM hoursevening, night, afternoon, midnight, late night
dinnertimebreakfast time
Morning meal hour
breakfast · lunchtime · lunch · brunch · supper time
dinnertimemorning
Day's early hours
dawn · daybreak · sunrise · early morning · breakfast time