stag party

American  

[stag pahr-tee] / ˈstæg ˌpɑr ti /

noun

1. a social gathering or outing attended by or restricted to men only.

2. a gathering intended or suitable for men only, especially one for the purpose of watching sexually titillating movies or exhibitions.

3. Chiefly British. bachelor party.

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stag party Idioms  

1. A social gathering for men exclusively, often involving entertainment considered unsuitable for women. For example, They wanted to give him a stag party before the wedding but John wasn't interested. This idiom uses stag in the sense of “a man unaccompanied by a woman.” [c. 1850]

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Etymology

Origin of stag party

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; 1960–65 stag party for def. 2

Example Sentences

On the last day of their girls' trip in June, the group befriended a stag party and were playing games, running around outside their accommodation and "being silly".

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

Stranded at a stag party, he is drawn to Darian, an animated wannabe model from Essex, who is everything Ash isn’t — flashy, glittery and unabashedly boisterous.

From Washington Post • Jan. 1, 2023

A surprise stag party for Stan and Ollie interferes with vacation plans with their wives.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2020

Another sojourn into the great outdoors with a grim forecast for the stag party in question, only this one privileges slow-burn ambient suspense over Bruckner’s straight-down-the-middle horror.

From The Guardian • Oct. 25, 2018

The Tuxedo coat and black tie is worn, unless at a formal stag party, when evening dress is appropriate.

From The Book of Good Manners; a Guide to Polite Usage for All Social Functions by Green, Walter Cox