party
12 synonyms and 0 antonyms for party, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A social gathering held for enjoyment, often with food, drink, and entertainment.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
How to use party
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French partie, "a part, a side," from partir, "to divide," ultimately from Latin pars, "a part" — the same root as "part."
Full origin of party →Frequently asked questions
What does “party” mean?
The word “party” means a social gathering held for enjoyment, often with food, drink, and entertainment. In plain terms, depending on context: a celebration, a political organisation, a side in a dispute, or a group doing something together.
How do you pronounce “party”?
“Party” is pronounced PAH-tee (/ˈpɑɹti/ in IPA).
How do you use “party” in a sentence?
Here is “party” used in a sentence: “They threw a huge party for her birthday.”
What is another word for “party”?
Words with a similar meaning to “party” include blowout, gala, get-together, knees-up, partay and shindig.
What part of speech is “party”?
Depending on how it is used, “party” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “party” come from?
The word “party” comes from Latin. From Old French partie, "a part, a side," from partir, "to divide," ultimately from Latin pars, "a part" — the same root as "part.".
Is “party” a common word?
“Party” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “party” have?
“Party” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a social gathering held for enjoyment, often with food, drink, and entertainment.
What are the different types of parties?
Popular kinds include birthday parties, dinner parties, cocktail parties, house parties, costume or theme parties, surprise parties, and holiday parties. They vary by occasion, size, and formality — from a quiet gathering with a few friends to a large celebration with music, food, and dancing.
What is the difference between a party and a celebration?
A party is a specific social event where people gather to enjoy themselves, usually with food, drink, and entertainment. A celebration is the broader act of marking a happy occasion, which might be a party — or a quiet dinner, a ceremony, or a simple toast.
What is an example of a party?
A birthday party is a classic example: guests gather to celebrate someone's birthday with cake, music, gifts, and games. Other examples include a New Year's Eve party, a wedding reception, or a casual house party where friends meet for food, drinks, and conversation.