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

“Purveyors of prestigious names from history for wealthy idiots who want to brag at their cocktail parties, ‘Oh, yes, my little Henry comes from a line of British kings.’

From Literature

They attend keynotes and panels, cocktail parties and receptions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Say you’re mingling at a cocktail party, networking event, singles mixer or church reception.

From The Wall Street Journal

If it doesn’t work out, when people ask me what I do at cocktail parties, I’ll just say I’m an architect.

From Barron's

“Who said that wakes and funerals are the cocktail parties of the old?” one character asks.

From The Wall Street Journal