family gathering
- noun
- /ˈfæmɪli ˈɡæðərɪŋ/
- Last weekend, we had a family gathering to celebrate Grandma's 80th birthday.
So I'm quite quiet at family gatherings, letting the next generation have its say.
- So I'm quite quiet at family gatherings, letting the next generation have its say.
- They may have to be there on holidays, they may have to leave some family gathering because there's an emergency that they have to deal with.
- They have missed weddings, holidays, birthday parties, baby showers and all kinds of other family gatherings.
- Because there are occasions and situations where it's there's expectations around family gatherings.
Examples
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Her five rambunctious older brothers spoiled her rotten and kept things hopping at family gatherings.
Fiction book (2001) -
Sunday breakfasts in the past used to be family gatherings.
Fiction book (1994) -
We're trying to have a nice family gathering, all right?
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Oh, what a lovely family gathering.
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I would see her every six months or so at a family gathering.
Fiction book (1997) -
Besides, I am telling him that we are having a quiet little family gathering.
Fiction book (1992) -
Holidays are often times for family gatherings, but this one was very different.
Fiction book (2001) -
The holidays are fast approaching and that means family gatherings and parties with friends.
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I sang Hebrew songs at family gatherings.
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In our family gatherings, the three of us often reenacted myths for the family.
Fiction book (1997)
Synonyms
An event where people meet to celebrate, eat, and have fun
A meeting of people for a social or special purpose
A small informal meeting for people to talk and spend time together
A gathering of family members to celebrate and reconnect
A gathering where people meet to talk and enjoy themselves
An event where people meet to talk and spend time together
An event where people meet to celebrate or spend time together
How Big
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an occasion when members of a family meet' is directly derivable from combining 'family' (people related by blood/marriage) with 'gathering' (a group assembled for a social purpose). This noun+noun composition is compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Family gathering comes from the image of a family coming together to gather around food or in a home for a special day. That's why it means 'an occasion when members of a family meet', usually for a social event or celebration.