no-host

[ noh-hohst ]

/ ˈnoʊˌhoʊst /

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adjective Chiefly Western U.S.

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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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Words nearby no-host

no hard feelings, no-hit, no-hitter, no holds barred, no-hoper, no-host, nohow, NOI, -noia, n.o.i.b.n., no ifs or buts

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT NO-HOST

**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.

**Where does no-host come from?**

The first records of the term no-host come from around the 1960s. It combines the terms no and host to describe an event as having no financial backer or “host.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with no-host?

What are some words that often get used in discussing no-host?

**How is no-host used in real life?**

No-host is usually used in the Western United States to refer to an event you have to pay a fee to attend.

Getting ready to go to the No-Host Oscars.
Have no idea what to expect.
Is it like a No-Host bar?
Open mic night?
One thing is for sure —
— tomorrow it’s back to work.

— Brad Bird (@BradBirdA113) February 24, 2019

FREE Open-to-the-Public at #SFWC19 2/16 7:00PM AN EVENING OF POETRY & JAZZ An open mic. Share your poems and very short stories, too. No-host bar & original music with celebrity poet band—COPUS!

— SFWC is for Writers! (@SFWC) February 11, 2019

Young Professionals Organization (YPO) Mixer TONIGHT | 5:30p.m. Woodstock's Pizza | No RSVP | No-Host Bar | All welcome to join at Mixers!

— Chico Chamber (@ChicoChamber) March 16, 2016

**Try using no-host!**

Is no-host used correctly in the following sentence?

“The ticket price for the hospital’s no-host party was high, but some of the money will help fund the new surgery rooms.”