hen-party

A group of friends is having a hen-party at a restaurant.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A social gathering exclusively for women: "hen-party" refers to a party or informal meeting attended only by women, often held to celebrate a forthcoming wedding (equivalent to a bachelorette party) or simply for female companionship and amusement. The term carries a slightly humorous or informal tone.

Usage Examples

• (A social event for women, typically to celebrate the bride-to-be.)
• (An all-female gathering for relaxation and fun.)

Advanced Usage

• "hen-party" as a general term for women-only events: While most commonly associated with pre-wedding celebrations, it can be used for any women-only social occasion.
  • The book club meeting turned into a lively hen-party when the men failed to show up. (The gathering became exclusively female and informal.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hen (n): a female bird, especially a domestic fowl; also used informally to refer to a woman (e.g., "old hen").
• Hen night (n): a synonym for hen-party, especially in British English, referring to the evening before a wedding.
• Stag party (n): the male equivalent of a hen-party, a gathering exclusively for men.

Synonyms

• Bachelorette party: a party for a woman who is about to get married, typically more focused on the bride.
• Girls' night out: an informal evening of socializing among women, not necessarily tied to a wedding.
• Ladies' night: an event or promotion intended for women only.

Related Idioms

• "To have a hen-party": to organize or attend a women-only social event.

  • They had a hen-party at the local pub, complete with karaoke and cocktails. (They held an all-female celebration.)

• "Like a hen-party": used metaphorically to describe a situation or group that is exclusively female and often noisy or lively.

  • The office break room was like a hen-party, with everyone gossiping and laughing. (The atmosphere was reminiscent of a women-only gathering.)