casual gathering

USAGE SUMMARY

"casual gathering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need a phrase to refer to a group of people meeting informally, without a set agenda. For example, "We decided to have a casual gathering at the park to celebrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Paella is really picnic food, ideal for a casual gathering.

The New York Times

(212 343-8555 www.hableconstruction.com LIGHTING AFLOAT -- Put these polyethylene lanterns in your pool to turn a casual gathering into a sophisticated, romantic soiree.

The New York Times

It's best appreciated in the context of a milonga, a casual gathering for amateur tango practitioners to come together and dance, and an event where a nondancing observer like myself is the exception.

The New York Times - Arts

That shift is under way in various cities around the world, but it's happening in an explosive way in and around Los Angeles: at the elite gastronome magnets, at casual gathering spots and everywhere in between.

The New York Times - Food

Take the first game of Tuesday afternoon's doubleheader, noteworthy to a casual gathering of early bird New Yorkers only because DePaul pulled away from Cincinnati, 67-57, to advance after a perfect Big East regular season, 0-18.

The New York Times - Sports

There was an entry fee — to pay for the special plane used to tow the hang gliders into the air and a few other shared expenses — but mostly it was a casual gathering, with fewer than a dozen pilots flying and socializing for a few weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Those casual gatherings could taper off as benefits are instead electronically deposited into individual accounts.

The New York Times

And when energetic advocates get together, even casual gatherings can be freighted with subtext.

The New York Times

We disseminate the news, launch a tweeter cascade, and of course attend casual gatherings at each other's homes".

The Guardian

Although a kiva's most important purpose is as a venue for rituals, kivas can also be used for political meetings and casual gatherings of the men of the village.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For more casual gatherings, the house has a billiards room, a library and two viewing rooms with fireplaces and wall-sized televisions -- among the 14 built-in television screens, including several in the bathrooms, to be spread throughout the house.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event as a "casual gathering", ensure the setting, dress code, and activities align with the expectation of informality. For instance, specify if it's a "casual gathering" at someone's home versus a restaurant to set the right tone.

Common error

Avoid using "casual gathering" to describe events that require formal attire or have a strict agenda. The term implies a relaxed and unstructured environment. Don't use it to soften the description of a formal event, as this can lead to mismatched expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "casual gathering" functions as a noun phrase that describes a type of social event. It is used to indicate an informal meeting or get-together, as supported by Ludwig examples showing its use in describing picnics, milongas, and parties.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "casual gathering" is a noun phrase used to describe an informal social event or meeting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not overly frequent, it's commonly found in news and media, wiki articles, and scientific publications. The phrase conveys a sense of relaxation and informality, setting clear expectations for attendees. When using "casual gathering", ensure the context aligns with its intended meaning to avoid miscommunication. Consider alternatives such as "informal get-together" or "relaxed meeting" to fine-tune the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informal get-together

Replaces "gathering" with the more colloquial "get-together" and "casual" with "informal".

simple get-together

Underscores the simplicity of the event, replacing "casual" with "simple".

friendly get-together

Highlights the amicable nature of the gathering, swapping "casual" for "friendly".

relaxed meeting

Focuses on the relaxed atmosphere, substituting "casual" with "relaxed" and "gathering" with "meeting".

impromptu meet

Focuses on the unplanned nature, substituting "casual" with "impromptu" and "gathering" with "meet".

unceremonious assembly

Emphasizes the lack of formality, replacing "casual" with "unceremonious" and "gathering" with "assembly".

small social event

Indicates the size and nature of the gathering, replacing "casual" with "small social".

laid-back meetup

Uses slang terms to highlight the informal nature, replacing "casual" with "laid-back" and "gathering" with "meetup".

easygoing social

Simplifies the phrase to its core elements, using adjectives to describe the event, substituting "casual gathering" with "easygoing social".

intimate soiree

Suggests a small, private and stylish gathering. While technically leaning towards 'formal', it can be casual depending on context.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "casual gathering"?

A "casual gathering" is an informal meeting of people, typically for social purposes, without strict rules or formalities. It suggests a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

How can I use "casual gathering" in a sentence?

You can say, "We're having a "casual gathering" at my place this weekend; feel free to drop by." or "The office is hosting a "casual gathering" to celebrate the end of the quarter."

What are some synonyms for "casual gathering"?

Alternatives include "informal get-together", "relaxed meeting", or "friendly get-together" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "casual gathering" appropriate for formal contexts?

No, "casual gathering" is generally not appropriate for formal contexts. Use more formal terms like "meeting", "conference", or "reception" in professional or official settings.