What does sup mean?
“Sup” is a very informal English expression used chiefly as a greeting, especially in American speech. It can function as a shortened version of “what’s up?”, asking how someone is or what they are doing, and it also serves as a casual alternative to “hello.” Its compact, relaxed character makes it especially common in conversation among friends, in online communication, and in contexts where informality is appropriate. In a separate, less frequent sense, “sup” can be a verb meaning to eat supper. Because the word is short, highly colloquial, and used differently across social groups, it is better suited to casual or creative writing than to formal communication. Although now familiar mainly as a greeting, its connection to “supper” gives it a longer history as a word associated with eating an evening meal.
An informal greeting or a shortened form of “what’s up?”
"Sup, are you ready?"
Chiefly American and informal; typically used in casual conversation.
To eat supper.
"We supped early and then went for a walk."
Informal and relatively uncommon outside casual or regional speech.
“Sup” turns a whole question into two letters, making it one of the most compact casual greetings in modern English.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sup come from?
As a verb meaning “to eat supper,” “sup” is a shortened form of “supper,” which comes through Old French from Latin cena, meaning “meal” or “dinner.” The familiar greeting “sup” developed separately as a clipped form of the question “what’s up?”, with “what’s” reduced or omitted in casual speech.
How sup is actually used
The greeting sense is informal and especially associated with American English and youth or casual speech. The verb meaning “eat supper” is also informal and less common.
Easily confused with sup
“Sup” is an informal greeting or shorthand for “what’s up,” whereas “soup” is a liquid dish.