Cool MateCater vs Supply
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cater
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Supply
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Supply
| Cater | Supply | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkeɪtə(r)/","/ˈkeɪtəz/","/ˈkeɪtəd/","/ˈkeɪtərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkeɪtər/","/ˈkeɪtərz/","/ˈkeɪtərd/","/ˈkeɪtərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To provide food and drink for an event. | to give or provide something that is needed |
| Example | Most of our work now involves catering for weddings. | The company is struggling to meet the demand for their product due to a shortage in supply. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | cater for an event, cater to clients, catered menu, catering service, catering company | total, available, endless, have, get, lay in, increase, fall, exceed demand, chain, line, network, supply of, supply to, be in short supply, demand and supply, supply and demand, abundant, plentiful, limited, bring, bring in, lay in, hold out, last, be depleted, supply of |
| Antonyms | neglect, ignore | demand, deprivation |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'cater' with 'wait' — they have different meanings., Using 'cater' without an object, e.g., 'They cater' is incomplete., Saying 'catered for' when 'catered to' is needed. | Confusing with 'supplement' when more than just providing is meant, Using as a noun instead of a verb, e.g., 'to supply' vs 'the supply', Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses |
| Usage notes | Use 'cater' when talking about providing food for gatherings like weddings or parties. Avoid using it in very formal writing. | Use 'supply' when referring to providing goods or resources. It is neutral and can be used in business, education, and everyday contexts. Avoid using it in very casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Cater vs Supply
What's the difference between Cater and Supply?
Cater: To provide food and drink for an event. Supply: to give or provide something that is needed
Which is more common: Cater and Supply?
Supply is the most common in everyday English.
Are Cater and Supply the same CEFR level?
Cater: C1, Supply: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Cater and Supply interchangeably?
Not always. Cater and Supply are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.