cocktail dress

American  

[kok-teyl dres] / ˈkɒkˌteɪl ˌdrɛs /

noun

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

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

I put on my only decent cocktail dress.

From Slate • May 27, 2023

She was so excited the party was back for the first time in two years that she picked out her black-and-white cocktail dress two months in advance.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2022

“Ignatius ast me why I was wearing a cocktail dress to go to a novena. He’s sitting in his room right now writing some foolishness. I says, ‘What’s that you writing now, boy?'

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole