one-night stand
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for one-night stand, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A single sexual encounter with someone, with no intention on either side of seeing each other again.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
casual hook-up
hook-up
Antonyms
relationship
long-term partner
How to use one-night stand
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
just a one-night stand
have a one-night stand
regret a one-night stand
Informal but not vulgar; acceptable in general conversation and journalism.
Etymology
Originally theatrical, describing a show booked into a venue for a single night; the sexual sense developed from that image of a single engagement.
Full origin of one-night stand →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a one-night stand and a hook-up?
A hook-up is any casual sexual encounter and may repeat with the same person. A one-night stand is specifically a single occasion with someone you do not expect to sleep with again, and often someone you have only just met.
Is one-night stand hyphenated?
Yes, the usual written form is one-night stand, with a hyphen between one and night because they work together as a single modifier. The plural is one-night stands.
