'dinnerware' originates from the combination of 'dinner' and 'ware', where 'dinner' refers to the main meal of the day and 'ware' refers to manufactured articles of a specified type.

'dinnerware' evolved from the Old English word 'dinner' and the Middle English word 'ware', eventually forming the modern English word 'dinnerware'.

Initially, it referred to any ware used during dinner, but over time it has come to specifically mean tableware used for serving and eating dinner.