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

But pundits question if the shindig could backfire by further motivating Democrats and independents who are furious over rising prices, the shaky economy and the war in Iran. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026

Once Upon a Time in Harlem In 1972, documentarian William Greaves brought together the surviving luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance for a shindig at Duke Ellington’s house. — A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

This year’s scrumptious shindig takes place July 19-25 and will feature nearly two-dozen restaurants offering once-a-year prix-fixe menus, special discounts and promotions, unique dishes and more. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

The shindig was nicely timed to end after the last train from North Greenwich had departed. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of shindy

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

shindig

noun

shin·​dig ˈshin-ˌdig 

: a big fancy party