soiree

or soi·rée

[ swah-rey ]

noun

1. an evening party or social gathering, especially one held for a particular purpose:

   a musical soiree.

soiree

/ ˈswɑːreɪ /

noun

1. an evening party or other gathering given usually at a private house, esp where guests are invited to listen to, play, or dance to music

Word History and Origins

Origin of soiree¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from French “evening, evening party,” equivalent to Old French soir “evening” (from Latin sērō “late” (adverb), originally ablative of sērus ) + -ée, from Latin -āta, feminine of -ātus; -ate ¹; journey

Word History and Origins

Origin of soiree¹

C19: from French, from Old French soir evening, from Latin sērum a late time, from sērus late

Example Sentences

It looked like corporate Christmas parties would get the green light this year after virtual soirees in 2020 — but along came Omicron.

From Axios

In terms of stakes, a gender-reveal party is as though you threw a soiree to reveal which Internet provider you had selected.

From Washington Post

The Velvet Tongue is an erotic literary soiree held by poet Ernesto Sarezale.

From The Daily Beast

Tirico stood there dumbfounded, and the woman turned and left the soiree.

From The Daily Beast

And the phrase tea party still referred to, you know, an afternoon soiree, where they served, you know, tea.

From The Daily Beast

One attendee, an attractive woman in her 20s, passionately defended the soiree as a way for certain people to connect with Occupy.

From The Daily Beast

George W. Bush made his first appearance at a Washington soiree since his departure in 2009.

From The Daily Beast

Fetis describes this soiree musicale as one of the most pleasant that had been given that year.

From Project Gutenberg

The success of the soiree was such that it was soon followed by a second and many more.

From Project Gutenberg

As for the evening-party, if a crowd in the dog-days is pleasant, poor Mrs. Timmins certainly had a successful soiree.

From Project Gutenberg

I went last night to his third soiree, and he certainly is the wonder of the age.

From Project Gutenberg

Mavra had its first concert production at a soiree given by Diaghileff at the Htel Continental.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• banquet
• barbecue
• bash
• feast
• festivity
• gala
• luncheon
• reception
• shindig