soiree: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowformal
Quick answer
What does “soiree” mean?
An evening party or social gathering, often formal or sophisticated.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An evening party or social gathering, often formal or sophisticated.
Typically refers to a cultural or elegant event held in the evening, such as a musical performance, literary reading, or cocktail party, with connotations of refinement and social grace.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, but may be slightly more common in British English due to historical French influence and cultural proximity.
Connotations
In both, it implies a sophisticated, often cultural event; no significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
More frequently used in written English than spoken; slightly higher frequency in British English, particularly in formal or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “soiree” in a Sentence
attend a soireehost a soireeinvite to a soireea soiree at [location]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; might appear in formal invitations, corporate event planning, or high-end networking contexts.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or literary studies to describe social events; common in discussions of 19th-century society or the arts.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation; more likely in written descriptions, formal invitations, or among educated speakers.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields; absent from scientific or engineering contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “soiree”
- Misspelling as 'soire' or 'soirie', mispronouncing stress (e.g., on the first syllable), using it to refer to any party regardless of time or formality.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively rare and used primarily in formal or literary contexts, not in casual conversation.
In British English, it's pronounced /swɑːˈreɪ/, and in American English, /swɑˈreɪ/, with stress on the second syllable.
No, 'soiree' is standardly a noun; using it as a verb, adjective, or adverb is non-standard and very rare.
It comes from French, derived from 'soir' meaning 'evening', and entered English in the late 18th century to describe evening social events.
An evening party or social gathering, often formal or sophisticated.
Soiree is usually formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dress to the nines for a soiree”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'soir', the French word for 'evening', so a soiree is an evening event.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVENING IS A CULTURAL SPACE
Practice
Quiz
What is the core meaning of 'soiree'?