a buffet supper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a buffet supper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a meal served buffet-style in the evening, often at social gatherings or events. Example: "The wedding reception featured a lavish buffet supper with a variety of dishes to choose from."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The evening begins with drinks at 10 30, and will include a buffet supper.

The New York Times - Style

A buffet supper will be served at 6 p.m., at $7 a person.

The New York Times - Food

Afterward, a buffet supper will be served in a tent behind the Apollo.

The New York Times

Everyone eats antipasta and then a buffet supper, in which "people tend to lose direction".

The New Yorker

Cocktails at 7, with the performances to begin at 8. A buffet supper will be available at 9. Tickets, $150, from [phone].

The New York Times - Style

The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6, with the screening at 7 and a buffet supper to follow at 9 30.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The white-collar professionals at a midweek buffet supper at East Cooper Baptist Church, a big congregation in this growing, affluent suburb of Charleston, take their politics seriously.

The New York Times

One lucky afternoon, I assisted a local woman, a wise and widely admired self-taught home cook, as she prepared her gumbo for a buffet church supper.

The New York Times - Food

Keno is called housei-housie; a buffet dinner is called a counter supper; a traffic cop is a bluebird; a candy shop is a lolly shop; a swagger coat is called a saunter coat; the mimosa tree is just a wattle.

The New Yorker

Some idea of how a Trumbauer client entertained is the musicale given by the Speyers in 1920 -- 100 guests for buffet supper and the violinist Fritz Kreisler in concert.

The New York Times

"I've got my Miss Piggy face on!" The Queen invited Nancy Reagan, escorted by American Ambassador John Louis, and Princess Grace of Monaco to sit at her table for the buffet supper, while Philip presided nearby and 50-year-old Princess Margaret sat on the floor eating scrambled eggs.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event, use "a buffet supper" to evoke a sense of tradition and a more formal, leisurely dining experience. This is especially effective if the event aims for a classic or vintage ambiance.

Common error

Avoid using "a buffet supper" in very casual contexts. Opt for more common terms like "buffet dinner" or "buffet" to keep the tone approachable and modern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a buffet supper" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition to describe a specific type of meal. Ludwig shows various examples of its use in describing events and dining experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a buffet supper" is a grammatically correct and understandable term that refers to a buffet-style evening meal. Although less common than "buffet dinner", it carries a slightly more traditional or formal tone. As Ludwig examples illustrate, it is mostly found in News & Media contexts. When writing, consider your audience and the desired tone to determine whether "a buffet supper", "buffet dinner", or another alternative is most appropriate. You should prefer "buffet dinner" when your audience is contemporary since it is the most common choice. Although, if you are aiming to evoke a sense of tradition and a more formal, leisurely dining experience, then you should use "a buffet supper".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a buffet dinner

Replaces "supper" with "dinner", a more common term for an evening meal.

a buffet meal

Substitutes "supper" with the broader term "meal", encompassing any buffet-style serving.

a self-serve supper

Focuses on the self-service aspect, suitable when highlighting the serving style.

an informal buffet

Emphasizes the casual nature of the meal, suitable for relaxed gatherings.

a casual dinner buffet

Combines informality with the "dinner" term, specifying the type and atmosphere.

a smorgasbord supper

Replaces "buffet" with a synonym, smorgasbord, implying a variety of dishes.

a potluck supper

Indicates a collaborative meal where guests bring dishes, differing from a hosted buffet.

a catered buffet

Highlights that the buffet is provided by a catering service.

a festive buffet

Adds a sense of celebration and merriment to the buffet setting.

an evening buffet

Specifies that the buffet is taking place in the evening.

FAQs

What is "a buffet supper"?

A "buffet supper" is a meal served buffet-style, typically in the evening. It often implies a more formal or leisurely dining experience than a simple "buffet dinner".

What can I say instead of "a buffet supper"?

You can use alternatives like "buffet dinner", "buffet meal", or "informal buffet" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a buffet supper" or "a buffet dinner"?

Both "a buffet supper" and "a buffet dinner" are grammatically correct, but "buffet dinner" is more commonly used in contemporary English. "Buffet supper" can sound more traditional or formal.

What's the difference between "a buffet supper" and "a buffet lunch"?

"A buffet supper" refers to an evening meal served buffet-style, while "a buffet lunch" is a midday meal served in the same way. The distinction lies in the time of day the meal is served.