cocktail hour

American  

noun

1. the interval before the evening meal during which cocktails and other alcoholic beverages are often served.

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Etymology

Origin of cocktail hour

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

At a recent cocktail hour for young professionals on Akron’s North Side, Alexis King, 31, recounted “grudgingly” moving to Akron from Philadelphia in 2020.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Finding a revolutionary artist during cocktail hour at the opening gala of Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s new David Geffen Galleries was like shooting fish in a barrel.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

I arrived at Gustavino’s, the tony East Side venue, midway through the 6 p.m. cocktail hour.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2025

The idea that these corporations place profit above health is not just a cocktail hour talking point gleaned from some book review – it is deeply ingrained in the community’s memory.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2024

“It’s only three days,” she told Bridge, “but you wouldn’t believe the number of events—we’re playing at the rehearsal dinner, the prewedding cocktail hour, the ceremony, and then—get this—there’s a high tea the day after.”

From "Goodbye Stranger" by Rebecca Stead