cocktail party

noun

Synonyms of cocktail partynext
: an informal or semiformal party or gathering at which cocktails are served

Examples of cocktail party in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The evening included a red carpet, cocktail party, dinner and awards presentation. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026 That evening as more guests arrived, the pair held a welcome cocktail party at Hotel Tambo del Inka. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026 Industry guidance suggests planning seats for roughly 50% to 70% of a typical cocktail party guest list, since people circulate. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026 Mayor Karen Bass was about 7,500 miles away from Station 69, at a cocktail party in Ghana, when the Palisades fire exploded. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cocktail party

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cocktail party was in 1903

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cocktail party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cocktail%20party. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on cocktail party

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!