soiree

Or soi·rée

[swah-rey]

noun

1. an evening party or social gathering, especially one held for a particular purpose.

   a musical soiree.

soiree

/ ˈswɑːreɪ /

noun

1. an evening party or other gathering given usually at a private house, esp where guests are invited to listen to, play, or dance to music

Word History and Origins

Origin of soiree¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from French “evening, evening party,” equivalent to Old French soir “evening” (from Latin sērō “late” (adverb), originally ablative of sērus ) + -ée, from Latin -āta, feminine of -ātus; -ate ¹; journey

Word History and Origins

Origin of soiree¹

C19: from French, from Old French soir evening, from Latin sērum a late time, from sērus late

Example Sentences

But they can’t bring back in their lifetimes the mini-orchard that kept them busy and produced the goods for the porch market soirees that brought their neighborhood together.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump finally appeared on the portico of the Blue Room after 7 p.m. on Wednesday to welcome new interns to what the White House described as a “soiree” on the South Lawn.

From Salon

But that publicity has not translated to a surge of prospective customers booking soirees at his Milwaukee restaurants, DanDan and EsterEv, ahead of the Republican National Convention, which is just three months away.

From New York Times

The fair, which runs Thursday through Sunday at Santa Monica Airport, has become the magnetic center for dozens of openings, talks and soirees.

From Los Angeles Times

Their first trio upset the order of things about 35 years ago, with a wild street party for the working class that lured even the well-heeled to forgo a private Carnival soiree, Bordonal said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• banquet 
• barbecue 
• bash 
• feast 
• festivity 
• gala 
• luncheon 
• reception 
• shindig