Definition

Noun: A social gathering where a group of people is invited to someone's home to eat dinner together. It implies a planned, often somewhat formal, social event centered around the evening meal.

Usage

The term "dinner party" is used to describe the event itself. It focuses on the communal aspect of sharing a dinner in a private, social setting. - We are hosting a dinner party for six guests next Saturday. - Attending a formal dinner party requires knowing proper table etiquette.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to host a dinner party": to be the person who organizes and provides the meal and venue for the event.
  • They love to host a dinner party at their new home.
• "dinner party conversation": refers to the type of polite, engaging, and often light or intellectual talk expected at such gatherings.
  • Politics can sometimes be a risky topic for dinner party conversation.

Variants and Related Words

• Dinner (n): the main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening.
• Party (n): a social gathering of invited guests, typically involving entertainment, conversation, or celebration.
• Supper party (n): A similar, but often less formal, gathering for a lighter evening meal (supper).
• Potluck dinner (n): A communal gathering where each guest contributes a dish of food, differing from a hosted dinner party.

Synonyms

• Supper party: (Similar, but can imply a less formal or later meal).
• Dinner gathering: (A more general phrase with a similar meaning).
• Soirée: (A French loanword for an evening party, which may or may not include a full dinner).

Antonyms / Contrasting Terms

• Buffet: A meal where guests serve themselves from dishes set out on a table, often while standing and mingling.
• Barbecue / Cookout: An informal outdoor meal where food is cooked on a grill.
• Restaurant dinner: A meal shared at a commercial establishment, not a private home.

Noun

1. a party of people assembled to have dinner together
   • guests should never be late to a dinner party