Supper is used commonly as the term for the main evening meal, although its use varies considerably. Supper may be used to describe a light snack or meal in the evening, either after or instead of dinner.

As well as referring to the drink itself, tea has long been used as an umbrella term for several different meals consisting of food accompanied by tea. English writer Isabella Beeton, whose books on home economics were widely read in the 19th century, describes meals of various kinds and provides menus for the "old-fashioned tea", the "at-home tea", the "family tea", and the "high tea".