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 of shindig

• event
• party
• bash
• celebration
• reception

Examples of shindig in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Accordingly, Berkley has invited an array of Java Joe’s veterans to perform at Sunday’s shindig, including Page, who begins a 19-date East Coast tour with Mraz on May 12. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

Look no further than this one-bowl biscuit recipe for your next shindig. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026

But other aspects of the shindig were apparently sorely lacking. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026

Its programming chiefs – Katarina Sherling, head of conference, Anna Bogutskaya, head of screen, and Adem Holness, head of music – were all present at Tuesday’s stylish shindig. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of shindy

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

shindig

noun

shin·​dig ˈshin-ˌdig 

: a big fancy party