cocktail party

American  

noun

1. a social gathering, often held during the cocktail hour, at which cocktails and other alcoholic beverages, hors d'oeuvres, and canapés are served.

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Etymology

Origin of cocktail party

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cocktail party

She was captured in photos at an embassy cocktail party in Accra as the Palisades fire exploded Jan. 7, 2025.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

Long-running production “The Willows” is set to wrap in early April, and “Monster Party,” a period piece that takes guests to a devilishly extravagant cocktail party, is re-launching in mid-April.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026

I did once spy him across the room at a cocktail party for Prince Andrew in the early 2000s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

The next day, to prepare for a cocktail party and dinner, the women in Campbell’s group had their hair teased into bouffants, using a photo of Raquel Welch as inspiration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026

I told Dennis not to invite Norton because if there was one thing this little cocktail party didn’t need, it was Norton Kelly.

From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel