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cocktail dress

American

[kok-teyl dres] / ˈkɒkˌteɪl ˌdrɛs /

noun

a semiformal, typically short dress, such as one might wear to a cocktail party.

With a flouncy knee-length skirt and crisply tailored collar, this satin-organza cocktail dress serves up fun with a dash of formality.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Other ensembles planned for the big day were a corseted gown inspired by the Rita Hayworth film “Gilda” and an Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress with 175,000 crystals, according to Vogue.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2025

On Saturday, Paloma Elsasser walked Ferragamo in a satin plunge-neck cocktail dress, and Dolce&Gabbana included models of normal size.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2024

Inspired by the 1991 original by Christina Stambolian, this is a custom made off-the-shoulder pleated black silk and chiffon cocktail dress with mini chiffon train.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2023

As for the cocktail dress, the attire remains a closet essential for many today.

From Salon • Sep. 23, 2023

She was already wearing a salmon-pink cocktail dress.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023