after-party

American  

[af-ter-pahr-tee, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˌpɑr ti, ˈɑf- /

Or afterparty or after party

noun

after-parties plural

1. a usually exclusive party that takes place after a performance or other event or after the main party.

   The screening of the premiere was followed by an afterparty.

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Usage

What is an after-party? An after-party is a party that happens after an event or after the main party. The after-party is usually smaller, less formal, and more exclusive (meaning fewer people are invited). After-parties are usually held after events like concerts, dances, weddings, and award ceremonies. Since such events are usually at least somewhat formal, the after-party is often intended as an opportunity for people to really let loose. It is also commonly seen without a hyphen (afterparty) and as two words (after party). Example: At the end of the wedding reception, the best man announced that he was having an after-party at his house for anyone who wanted to keep on partying past midnight.

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• after-parties
  plural

Etymology

Origin of after-party

First recorded in 1940–45; after ( def. ) + party ( def. )

Example Sentences

Hundreds of pounds of caviar, black truffle, sushi and tomahawk steak have been shipped to Hollywood for the traditional lavish Oscars after-party this Sunday.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

I went to the after-party at a bar across the street to congratulate Rick.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

Following dinner and dancing, the couple got everyone on a bus and headed to an after-party, which went until they “kicked everyone out” at 2 a.m.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025

Though warn relatives in advance so they can back out of your dry dinner, or bar hop, or plan an after-party on their own later.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025

I decide to go to the school dance because the after-party is at Alex Tafoya’s house.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez