2 syllables: Sup, per. Stress on Sup.
SUHP-ur
/ˈsʌpɚ/
Supper is pronounced SUHP-ur (/ˈsʌpɚ/). It has two syllables (Sup-per), with the stress on "Sup". As a noun, a noun referring to the evening meal in some English-speaking regions, traditionally lighter than dinner. In casual usage, it can denote the main evening meal or a late, informal gathering for food. The word emphasizes a social eating occasion rather than a strict time frame, and is often used in historical or regional contexts.
nounA noun referring to the evening meal in some English-speaking regions, traditionally lighter than dinner. In casual usage, it can denote the main evening meal or a late, informal gathering for food. The word emphasizes a social eating occasion rather than a strict time frame, and is often used in historical or regional contexts.
"We’ll have supper around seven, then watch a movie."
"In some households, supper is more casual than dinner and includes lighter fare."
"The village hall served a simple supper after the concert."
US/UK/AU pronunciation pivots on the stressed first syllable: /ˈsʌpər/ in most dialects. Start with the open back lax vowel /ʌ/ as in 'cup', then a rhotic schwa or /ə/ in the second syllable depending on accent. The lips relax into a neutral, unstressed vowel; a light, quick second syllable is typical. Listen for a clear, short /p/ release followed by an unstressed /ər/ or /ə/. You’ll often hear 'supper' rhyme with 'upper' in casual speech. Audio references can help refine vowel quality and timing.
Common errors include elongating the /ʌ/ to a fuller /ɜː/ in US speech and confusing the second syllable with a strong /ɚ/ or /ə/ without a rhotic ending. Also, speakers sometimes insert an extra vowel between /p/ and /r/, saying /ˈsəpər/ instead of /ˈsʌpər/. Correction tips: keep /ʌ/ as in 'sun' for the first vowel, ensure the /p/ is a brief stop without voicing, and reduce the second syllable to a quick /ər/ or /ɚ/ with minimal vibrato. Practice with minimal pairs like 'supper/ supper' to notice subtle contrasts if your accent softens the vowel.
In US accents, /ˈsʌpər/ often has a rhotic second syllable with a pronounced /ɚ/. In many UK accents, the second syllable may be a schwa /ə/ with less rhotic influence, yielding /ˈsʌpə/. Australian English tends to be non-rhotic for many speakers, producing a light /ə/ in the second syllable and a shorter overall vowel duration. Pay attention to vowel length, rhoticity, and the quality of the second syllable vowel; these subtleties shape perceived regional flavor. IPA cues: US /ˈsɜː pɚ/ (regional variants) vs UK /ˈsʌpə/ vs AU /ˈsʌpə/ where appropriate.
The challenge lies in balancing the short, lax /ʌ/ vowel with a crisp, unreleased or lightly released /p/ and a fast second syllable that reduces to /ər/ or /ə/. Native speakers often compress the second syllable toward a quick, weak vowel, which can cause fusion with the /p/ if not timed. Additionally, regional vowel shifts can alter perceived quality. Focus on keeping distinct phonemic boundaries: /s/ + /ʌ/ + /p/ + /ə/ or /ɚ/ while maintaining a light, non-voiced /p/ release.
A distinctive feature is the subtle shift in the second syllable’s vowel toward a centralized schwa, with the /p/ being a brief, unvoiced stop. Some speakers merge /p/ and the following syllable, causing a quick transition to /ər/ or /ə/; slow practice helps fix this. Another unique point is how regional rhoticity can tint the second syllable: a stronger rhotic ending in American speech can yield /ˈsʌpɚ/ while UK/AU tends toward /ˈsʌpə/.
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Supper originates from the Old French word souper, which itself comes from sotto-? (Latinized forms associated with “supper” as an evening repast). The term entered Middle English via Norman influence, reflecting the archaic social practice of a two-meal day: a light late meal (supper) and a larger midday meal (dinner). Its usage broadened in various English-speaking regions to denote the final daily meal or an informal evening repast, often replacing “dinner” in rural or traditional contexts. Historically, supper was the principal meal for some communities after work, while others reserved “dinner” for the main meal of the day, typically taken earlier. In modern usage, supper is common in the UK, parts of North America, and Commonwealth countries, sometimes overlapping with “dinner” depending on regional customs and social setting. First known written attestations trace to medieval English texts, with evolving spellings reflecting shifts in pronunciation and regional dialects. Over centuries, semantic drift reduced its formality and time specificity in many dialects, though it remains a stable term in specific locales and in literature that evokes traditional domestic life.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Supper" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Supper" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Supper"
-per sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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