party

party — noun

1. an event where friends or guests come together for food, music, conversation, or

1.nounA1
Definition

an event where friends or guests come together for food, music, conversation, or dancing, often to mark something special

Example

Emma planned a garden party for her mother's birthday in June.

collocation: garden party

After dinner, the party moved into the living room for dancing.

Common collocations
  • birthday party
  • garden party
  • New Year party
  • have a party
  • leave the party early
Synonyms
  • celebration

    a broader word for any event marking a happy occasion

  • gathering

    more general and can be quieter or less festive

  • get-together

    informal and often smaller than a party

  • reception

    more formal and often linked to weddings or official events

Grammar Patterns

have a party

go to a party

birthday party

Usage Note

Often used for social events at homes, schools, or rented rooms. Distinguish from sense 2, where a party is a political organization rather than a celebration.

Common Mistakes

We made a party for Leo at home.
We had a party for Leo at home.
English usually says 'have' or 'throw' a party, not 'make' a party.

2. a political organization whose members share similar ideas and try to win power

2.nounB1
Definition

a political organization whose members share similar ideas and try to win power through elections

Example

Her father has voted for the same party since college.

pattern: vote for a party

The party promised cheaper train tickets during the election.

Common collocations
  • vote for the party
  • party leader
  • party member
  • small parties
  • form a government
Synonyms
  • organization

    broader and not limited to politics

  • movement

    can describe a wider social force, not always an election-based group

  • faction

    often means a smaller group inside a larger political body

  • coalition

    usually a temporary alliance of several parties rather than one party

Grammar Patterns

vote for a party

party leader

party member

Usage Note

Often followed by words like leader, member, and policy. In British English, the noun may take either a singular or a plural verb when you mean the organization or its members acting together.

Common Mistakes

She voted the party last year.
She voted for the party last year.
with elections, 'vote' usually takes 'for' before the party.

3. several people who travel, visit, or do an activity together as one unit

3.nounB2
Definition

several people who travel, visit, or do an activity together as one unit

Example

Our party reached the mountain hut before sunset.

traveling group: our party

The guide asked each party to stay close on the forest path.

Common collocations
  • our party
  • a party of six
  • the visiting party
  • reach the hut
  • stay close
Synonyms
  • group

    the broad everyday word, with less focus on acting together for one visit or trip

  • team

    suggests people working together toward a task, often more organized

  • delegation

    a more formal visiting group sent to represent others

  • tour group

    specifically a group traveling together for sightseeing

Grammar Patterns

a party of six

our party

the visiting party

Usage Note

Common in travel, climbing, and tour contexts, especially in the pattern 'a party of + number'. Distinguish from sense 4, which describes a formal participant in an agreement or dispute.

Common Mistakes

We were a party for eight on the train.
We were a party of eight on the train.
this counting pattern uses 'of', not 'for'.

4. a person, company, or group that has an official role in a case, agreement, or d

4.nounB2
Definition

a person, company, or group that has an official role in a case, agreement, or dispute

Example

Both parties signed the apartment contract in the lawyer's office.

legal context: both parties

The judge asked each party to bring all the emails.

Common collocations
  • both parties
  • each party
  • either party
  • party to the contract
  • court case
Synonyms
  • side

    common in arguments or negotiations, but less formal than party

  • participant

    broader and can refer to any involved person, not specifically a legal side

  • signatory

    specifically a person or group that signs an official document

Grammar Patterns

both parties

either party

party to the agreement

Usage Note

Common in legal and business English, especially in 'both parties', 'either party', and 'party to'. Distinguish from sense 3, which is a physical group traveling or visiting together.

Common Mistakes

The bank was a party of the contract.
The bank was a party to the contract.
this legal sense normally uses 'party to', not 'party of'.
Idioms

be (a) party to something

idiom

To be involved in or know about a particular agreement or action.

Maya refused to be a party to the unfair contract.

Were you a party to the decision to close the library?

bring something to the party/table

idiom

To offer something useful or valuable to a group activity or discussion.

Diego brought strong negotiation skills to the table.

What can you bring to the party that others cannot?

party — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun sense 1, party suggests a social event where people meet mainly to enjoy themselves, often with food, music, or dancing. Celebration is broader: it can be any event that marks good news or a special day, even a quiet family dinner. Gathering is more neutral and does not always sound festive. Reception is more formal and is often linked to weddings, official guests, or business events. Get-together is informal and usually smaller and more relaxed than a party. You might say 'We had a birthday party on Saturday,' but 'The school held a reception for visiting teachers.'

celebration ↗gathering ↗reception ↗get-together

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Party came into English through Old French from a Latin root meaning 'part' or 'share'. Earlier uses referred to one side in a matter or a group with the same interests. From that idea of people forming one side or group, English later developed the modern senses for a political group and for a social event where people gather together.