Etymology Map
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Dinner

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening

Where does the word "dinner" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin disjejunare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
disjejunare
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to break one's fast"
from 'dis-' plus 'jejunus', fasting, the same idea as English 'breakfast'
2
Stage 2 of 3
disner
Old French · medieval
"to dine; the main meal"
originally the first substantial meal of the day, eaten late in the morning
3
Stage 3 of 3
dinner
English · 1300s
"the main meal of the day"
has drifted steadily later in the day over the centuries, from midday to evening
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Read the full story

Dinner’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: disjejunare meant “to break one's fast.” From 'dis-' plus 'jejunus', fasting, the same idea as English 'breakfast'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as disner. Originally the first substantial meal of the day, eaten late in the morning. It reached English by 1300s as dinner. Has drifted steadily later in the day over the centuries, from midday to evening. Today, dinner means the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening.