no-host

American  

[noh-hohst] / ˈnoʊˌhoʊst /

adjective

Chiefly Western U.S.

1. requiring patrons and guests to pay a fee for attendance or to pay for any food and drink they consume.

   a no-host cocktail party; a no-host dinner-dance.

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Usage

What does no-host mean? No-host describes an event, such as a party, at which the guests must pay for their own food and drink or pay an entry fee. A Western US term, no-host is almost always used in reference to a party or similar event at which attendees pay to enter or pay for any food or drink they consume. You might go to a no-host dinner, a no-host networking event, a no-host dance—any type of event that requires you to pay to enter or for food and drink or both. Sometimes no-host is used more literally to describe an event that lacks a host, especially an event that usually has a host. The 2019 Academy Awards didn’t have a host and was commonly described as a no-host award show. Example: I got invited to some fancy no-host party for Independence Day, but I don’t know if I have the money for another one of these.

Example Sentences

But Hopkins wasn't present, and didn't send a proxy to accept the statue in his place, so the no-host telecast ended abruptly and left a sour aftertaste.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2021

What you are about to see is not a news broadcast: “Unsolved Mysteries,” the OG true-crime and paranormal-investigation series once hosted by the late, great Robert Stack, gets a no-host reboot.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2020

As TV academy voters honor what they consider the small-screen’s best, viewers can join in by tallying up wins, snubs and records during the no-host, three-hour ceremony airing Sunday at 8 p.m.

From Washington Times • Sep. 22, 2019

Unlike most new laws, grasping the rationale behind this prohibition requires insight as unexceptional as the no-host verdict.

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2019

FRI Fundraiser to bring back the sign, appetizers, raffle, no-host bar, 6 p.m.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2017