toast-master

The toast-master raises his glass to propose a toast.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who proposes toasts: A "toast-master" is an individual, often designated at a formal dinner or banquet, who announces and leads the audience in raising glasses to honor someone or something.
   • A ceremonial role: The role involves making speeches, introducing speakers, and ensuring the smooth flow of toasting rituals during an event.

Usage Examples

• (The person responsible for leading toasts at the wedding reception.)
• (The ceremonial leader who managed the toasting segment.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act as toast-master": to perform the duties of proposing and leading toasts.

  • She was asked to act as toast-master at the annual company dinner. (She took on the role of leading the toasts.)

• "toast-master's duties": the specific responsibilities of this role, such as timing, phrasing, and etiquette.

  • The toast-master's duties included ensuring that each toast was properly recognized. (The tasks associated with the position.)

Variants and Related Words

• Toastmaster (n): a common alternative spelling; the same role.

  • He served as toastmaster for the university's centennial celebration. (He performed the toasting duties.)

• Toastmistress (n): a female counterpart to toastmaster.

  • The toastmistress elegantly proposed a toast to the retiring dean. (A woman in the toasting role.)

• Toast (n/v): the act of raising a glass to honor someone; or to drink in honor of.

  • We raised a toast to the new ambassador. (A ceremonial drink of honor.)

Synonyms

• Master of ceremonies (MC): a person who hosts or introduces events, though not exclusively for toasts.
• Announcer: someone who makes formal declarations, but without the specific toasting focus.
• Proposer of toasts: a descriptive phrase for the toast-master's main action.

Related Idioms

• "To propose a toast": to formally suggest that everyone raise their glasses to honor someone.

  • The toast-master proposed a toast to the happy couple. (He initiated the ceremonial drinking.)

• "To drink a toast": to consume the drink after a toast is proposed.

  • Everyone drank a toast to the success of the project. (They consumed the drink in honor of the project.)