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

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cocktail dress

Anderson, who had briefly worked as an actress in Hollywood, was a stunning blond socialite, clad in a black cocktail dress, with a penchant for impromptu dance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

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

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

Perhaps what's so interesting about the cocktail dress is that it exemplifies how food can dictate an entire genre of clothing.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2023

Mom used to greet party guests with glasses of champagne, her satin cocktail dress swishing above her knees and her high heels clicking against the wood floor.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller