afterparty: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, common in social and entertainment contexts.
Quick answer
What does “afterparty” mean?
A social gathering held after a main event, such as a concert, play, or official party, often more informal and intimate.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A social gathering held after a main event, such as a concert, play, or official party, often more informal and intimate.
An unofficial, often spontaneous extension of a formal event; can metaphorically describe any subsequent, less formal activity or phase following a primary event.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. The term is equally common in both varieties, originating from 20th-century entertainment culture.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with youth/celebrity culture in early usage, now mainstream.
Frequency
High and equal frequency in both. No significant regional preference.
Grammar
How to Use “afterparty” in a Sentence
[Event] + had/was followed by + an afterparty + [at/in Location]They + [verb: moved/went/headed] + to + the afterpartyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “afterparty” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to afterparty at his flat until sunrise.
American English
- They're planning to afterparty at a downtown speakeasy.
adverb
British English
- They celebrated afterparty, well into the next morning.
American English
- We met up afterparty for some late-night pizza.
adjective
British English
- The afterparty atmosphere was more relaxed than the main do.
American English
- She's in charge of the afterparty arrangements.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously or informally for post-conference networking.
Academic
Very rare, except in cultural/sociological studies of events.
Everyday
Common, especially among younger adults discussing social plans.
Technical
Used in event planning and entertainment industries.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “afterparty”
- Using 'after party' as two words (while common, the closed compound 'afterparty' is standard).
- Using it for any party that happens late, even if not connected to a prior main event.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The closed compound 'afterparty' is the standard dictionary form, though 'after party' is sometimes seen in informal writing.
No, by definition, an afterparty is a secondary event contingent on a primary one. A party that simply starts late is just a 'late-night party'.
Not necessarily. It can be a planned, ticketed extension of an event or a completely spontaneous gathering decided upon by attendees afterward.
'Afters' is a more informal, chiefly British synonym. It can sound slightly more casual or old-fashioned compared to 'afterparty'.
A social gathering held after a main event, such as a concert, play, or official party, often more informal and intimate.
Afterparty is usually informal, common in social and entertainment contexts. in register.
Afterparty: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑːftəˌpɑːti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæftɚˌpɑːrti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The afterparty is where the real fun begins.”
- “It's not over until the afterparty's over.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: AFTER the main PARTY ends, the AFTERPARTY starts.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN EVENT IS A JOURNEY (the 'afterparty' is the next destination). / SOCIALIZING IS A FUEL (the afterparty 'keeps the energy going').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of a typical afterparty?