soiree
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of soiree
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
Explanation
A soiree is an elegant evening gathering, usually at someone's home. The jeans and t-shirt you wear to a regular party won't cut it — a soiree requires far fancier attire. Soiree, pronounced "swah-RAY," is a French word. Soir means "evening" in French, and soiree is literally an "evening party." But this is no Super Bowl party with potato chips and people slouching in easy chairs — a soiree is an elegant affair. Though often held in someone's house, people dress up. There may be music provided by a classical pianist or a jazz combo and fancy food.
Vocabulary lists containing soiree
Pygmalion
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This Week in Pop Culture: May 18–24, 2019
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Society and Solitude
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To bid adieu to a Muppet-themed section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios parks in Florida, some Kermit and Gonzo superfans organized a prom-inspired soiree at one of the area’s restaurants.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
Could Hecla possibly still be a buy for investors who are coming late to the silver soiree?
From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026
After a performance by a traditional nanta-buk drum troupe at the diplomat’s soiree, more than a dozen speakers paraded to the microphone to tell about Choi’s open-mindedness and modesty.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2024
Never mind that the drink is an accident, created when Jack is bumped into by a possibly dead/possibly imaginary waiter at a possibly imaginary 1920s soiree in the ballroom of the Overlook Hotel one night.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2023
But my new friend simply showed me the building, shook my hand, gave a fine bonne soiree, and walked off into the wide open night.
From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
