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party

party

1.0
An event where people meet to celebrate, eat, and have fun
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑrti/
translation icon : fiesta
  • Think about the last time you were at a party and met someone new.
  • a birthday party
  • go to a party
  • host a party

All about the impromptu dance parties, just bring DMX.

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Examples

  • Cool, let's get this party started on a Saturday night.

  • We're throwing a party at the pier.

  • No, I went to a Christmas party, got on the train.

  • This is our end of year party, as it were.

  • Just tell me where the party is and I'll be there.

  • So let's have a party with all of the senators.

  • We are here having a little Christmas party with the INF team.

  • Our boys are going to have a birthday party at the skating rink.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Finally, they went with Tucker to a party in South Shore, but they didn't stay long.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We had a wonderful time at the party with dancing and delicious food.

Synonyms

dance
vsparty
463 1.0

A social event where people move to music

is broader and often emphasizes general celebration rather than movement
celebration
vsparty
430 1.0

A happy event such as a party that marks a special occasion or achievement

is a general fun gathering that may not mark a special occasion
birthday party
vsparty
201 1.0

A social gathering to celebrate someone's birthday with food, games, and gifts

is used for many kinds of celebrations, not only personal anniversaries
hop
vsparty
  • Archaic
173 5.9

An informal dance party where popular music is played

covers many social forms beyond events focused mainly on dancing
reception
vsparty
167 3.3

A formal party after a ceremony to welcome guests

is not necessarily tied to a preceding ceremony and is more general
shower
vsparty
  • US
117 2.9

A party where guests bring gifts to celebrate someone before a wedding or birth

is more general, not specifically focused on gift giving before an event
dinner party
vsparty
75 1.0

An event where people are invited to eat dinner together

often includes wider entertainment and lively celebration beyond just dining
function
vsparty
  • Formal
74 4.2

A formal social event such as a party or ceremony

is usually less formal and mainly about casual enjoyment
bash
vsparty
  • Informal
56 4.2

A lively party or celebration with many people

can be calmer and more varied, not necessarily loud or boisterous
cocktail party
vsparty
48 2.5

A social event in the early evening where people drink and talk

is generally larger and features more varied entertainment and food
slumber party
vsparty
  • Informal
31 2.1

A night when friends stay at someone's house to sleep, talk, and play

is usually shorter and for a wider age range, not necessarily overnight
shindig
vsparty
  • Informal
29 8.6

A lively informal party with music and dancing

can be more formal or quieter, not always loud or dance focused
soiree
vsparty
  • Formal
23 7.5

An evening party at someone's home

is often more casual and may occur at any time of day
tea party
vsparty
23 1.4

A social gathering in the afternoon where people drink tea and eat light food

tends to be livelier and less confined to afternoon refreshments
do
vsparty
  • UK
22 9.3

A lively party or social gathering

is broader and includes both quiet and formal types of meetings
19 1.8

A party after a wedding where people celebrate the marriage

is broader and can occur without following any marriage ceremony
social event
vsparty
19 1.9

A gathering where people meet to talk and enjoy themselves

is more about celebration and enjoyment than any general meeting
house party
vsparty
  • Informal
18 1.9

A party at someone's home where guests sometimes stay overnight

is often in public venues or larger spaces rather than private homes
social
vsparty
  • Informal
15 1.6

A friendly meeting where people talk and have fun

leans more toward festive celebration rather than casual socializing
15 1.0

A time when family members meet to celebrate or spend time together

is broader, including friends and public celebrations beyond family only
garden party
vsparty
8 2.3

An outdoor social event in a garden with food, drink, and music

often takes place indoors or in varied locations, not only outside
7 2.7

An event where people meet to talk and spend time together

focuses more on celebration and fun rather than mere social assembly
social occasion
vsparty
3 2.8

An event where people meet to celebrate or spend time together

is typically less formal and more focused on having fun
viewing party
vsparty
  • US
3 3.1

A group of people who meet to watch a TV show or event together

is more about general social celebration than focused viewing
fete
vsparty
2 6.5

A public event with music, games, and food to raise money

is usually private and primarily for social enjoyment rather than fundraising
afterparty
vsparty
2 3.5

A party after a main event where people continue to celebrate

is the primary celebration rather than a later continuation
gala affair
vsparty
  • Formal
1 6.0

A fancy formal party with entertainment to celebrate or raise money

is typically simpler and more casual, focused on informal fun
Easter party
vsparty
1 1.0

A social event during Easter with egg hunts and decorations

is for many occasions and not limited to holiday themed events
social affair
vsparty
  • Formal
3.8

A formal party or ceremony where many people meet

is more casual and oriented toward entertainment and enjoyment
work party
vsparty
3.2

A social event an employer arranges for employees to celebrate and relax

is usually arranged by friends or family for personal enjoyment
party of sorts
vsparty
  • Informal
7.2

A small informal get-together with a few friends to celebrate something

is a clearer social celebration, usually better defined and planned

Antonyms

12 5.1

A quiet, private place away from other people

Idioms

13 3.7

A person who is lively and makes people laugh at parties

8 7.1

Joining after others have already started something important

A style that looks formal at the front and casual at the back

A person who makes parties fun by being lively and entertaining others

Food or drink that gives a strong, exciting taste

9.8

A person who makes others feel awkward at a social gathering

Compounds

A major political party in the United States that supports conservative policies

A major political party in the United States that supports liberal and progressive policies

267 3.5

A political party that wants a society where the state owns businesses and property

204 2.7

A group of people with the same political ideas who try to win elections

201 1.0

A social gathering to celebrate someone's birthday with food, games, and gifts

138 2.8

A party for a man before he gets married with his male friends to celebrate

87 3.9

A person or group outside a deal who may be affected

75 1.0

An event where people are invited to eat dinner together

tea party
  • Literature
61 6.7

A political movement in the United States that wants smaller government and lower taxes

56 4.8

A political group that opposes the two main parties

A social event in the early evening where people drink and talk

party line
  • Literature
37 5.1

Official ideas and rules a political party wants members to follow

36 2.6

A group of people who look for someone who is missing

slumber party
  • Informal
31 2.1

A night when friends stay at someone's house to sleep, talk, and play

25 5.1

Relating to two sides, often in politics or law

23 1.4

A social gathering in the afternoon where people drink tea and eat light food

20 1.8

A group of people who take part in a marriage ceremony, like the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen

18 3.7

A political group that tries to win elections to help working people and get fair treatment for all

house party
  • Informal
18 1.9

A party at someone's home where guests sometimes stay overnight

17 3.7

A major political party that supports private business and smaller government

16 3.7

A political party that wants to protect the environment and support fair social policies

party pooper
  • Informal
16 6.4

A person who ruins other people's fun at a party

15 3.5

A person who is the most lively and entertaining at a party

14 2.6

A small gift that people give to guests at a party to thank them

12 3.7

Political party that ruled Germany under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945 and hurt many people

party girl
  • Informal
11 6.3

A woman who often goes to parties and is lively

A UK political party in the centre that supports liberal social policies and reforms to help working people

10 2.8

A major political party in the United Kingdom that supports workers, trade unions, and social welfare policies

9 3.4

A political party in the United States that supports government ownership of businesses and greater economic equality

8 1.2

An activity people do with guests to make a social event more fun

party animal
  • Informal
8 4.0

A person who often goes to parties and likes to have fun

8 2.3

An outdoor social event in a garden with food, drink, and music

party crasher
  • Informal
7 7.0

A person who goes to a party without being invited and often causes trouble

A group of people from a ship who go ashore to do a task

7 2.7

A group of people who are sent to save others in danger

A protest in 1773 when American colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxes

A party to celebrate moving into a new home with friends and family

A celebration when someone tells friends and family about their sexual orientation or gender identity

A person who is physically harmed by an accident or crime

party boss
  • Literature
4 6.5

A powerful political leader who controls votes and chooses party jobs behind the scenes

4 3.4

A college or university known for many parties and a busy social life

4 4.5

A party for a man before his wedding where only men attend

Liberal Party
  • Australian
3 3.2

A political party that supports individual rights and free markets

3 3.1

A group of people who meet to watch a TV show or event together

A former American political party founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 called the Bull Moose Party

party line
  • Archaic
3 8.1

A telephone line shared by neighbors who may hear each other's calls

war party
  • Archaic
2 8.8

A group of people who go to attack an enemy

1 8.0

A political group that always opposes proposals and offers no alternatives

1 7.9

A former American political party from 1834 to 1854 that opposed the Democrats and supported high taxes on imported goods

1 6.9

A political party in the early United States that supported a strong central government

1 6.5

An agreement that involves four different people or groups

A party where people wear masks and costumes to hide who they are

1 3.3

A party for a woman about to get married with only her female friends

The most popular thing or person at a party

party foul
  • Slang
1 8.2

A rude or embarrassing action at a social gathering that causes trouble

A major political party in the United Kingdom that supports workers and social justice

1 1.8

A main idea that decides the decorations, activities, and style of a party

1 6.1

A man who belongs to a political group and always supports its leaders and policies

party-crashing
  • Informal
1 7.5

Going to a party without an invitation to join the fun

1 4.9

Involving three different people or groups who take part

A political party that wants a slow change from capitalism to democratic socialism

1 3.6

A group of people who work together for a short time on a single task

1 8.9

A former US political party started by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 that supported progressive reforms

A major United States political party in the early 1800s that wanted limits on national government power

1 1.0

A social event during Easter with egg hunts and decorations

A former small US political party that represented farmers and workers

1 2.4

A party on a grass area where people have drinks and play games

The most exciting and memorable part of a party

A political party in Germany led by Adolf Hitler that ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945

party killer
  • Informal
1 7.2

A person or thing that ruins the fun at a party

1 7.0

Strong loyalty to a political party that makes you biased

1 7.9

Someone directly involved in a court case, as plaintiff or defendant

1 3.6

A vehicle decorated and set up for a group to celebrate while traveling

How Lively

rave
39 7.2
party
1.0
celebration
430 1.0
get-together
  • Informal
46 1.9

Surface Forms

party singular
parties plural

Etymology

Party comes from an old word part meaning 'part' or 'share', from old French partie. It first meant a 'group' or 'portion' of people, and that idea changed into a group that meets to celebrate, which is why a party is a social event.