noun / verb / adjective
party
PAR-tee/ˈpɑːrti/
A group of people gathered for a shared activity.
Four adults raise their cups around a cake at the party.
Etymology
From “a part or division,” party came to mean a group of people. Its festive sense grew from people gathered for a particular temporary purpose, such as dining or hunting.
In context
This was not a party for one man's birthday.
More examples
- A search party follows the trail into the woods.
- We party with our neighbors on New Year's Eve.
- She sets out party hats for the birthday guests.
Forms
party · parties · partied · partying
partygoer noun — A person who attends social gatherings.
Similar words
- gathering
- Emphasizes people coming together, not necessarily for celebration.
- group
- Names people collectively without requiring a shared activity.
- celebration
- Emphasizes honoring a happy occasion rather than the people assembled.