shindig

noun

shin·​dig ˈshin-ˌdig 

1

a

: a social gathering with dancing

b

: a usually large or lavish party

2

: shindy sense 2

Did you know?

At a glance, shindig appears to combine shin and dig, and thus might seem to suggest a painful kick to the leg—especially when you know that one of the first senses of shindig in English refers to a gathering at which people dance. It is more likely, however, that shindig is an alteration of shindy, which is itself the alteration of another word, shinny, used of a variation of hockey that is played with a curved stick and a ball or block of wood. It's not entirely clear how the game of shinny gave shindy its first meaning (the "social gathering with dancing" meaning that is also the original meaning of shindig) but shinny remains the most likely origin.

Synonyms

• affair
• bash
• binge
• blast
• blowout
• do
• event
• fete
• fête
• function
• get-together
• party
• reception

Examples of shindig in a Sentence

we're hosting a little shindig this weekend for some friends

Recent Examples on the Web

Let guests scoop this easy appetizer onto crackers for the perfect bite. get the recipe 14 of 20 Cheese Straws Modern day parties have nothing on the classic shindigs starring finger foods that were hard to resist. —Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2024

The Robert Redford founded SFF will remain in its home of nearly four decades for the 2026 shindig too before pulling up stakes – if Boulder or Cincinnati grab the indie film golden ring. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2024

The Sundance Film Festival, once a modest venue for showcasing and breaking small-budget films, had transitioned into another Hollywood shindig, complete with a strong celebrity presence and pricey dealmaking. —Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024

Great shows and events are all over From a new-plays festival to a Sonoma shindig devoted to apple worship (the fruit, not the computer), there are a lot of cool things to see and do in the Bay Area this weekend. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of shindy

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

shindig

noun

shin·​dig ˈshin-ˌdig 

: a big fancy party