celebratory reception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "celebratory reception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or gathering that is held to celebrate a particular occasion or achievement. Example: "We are excited to invite you to a celebratory reception in honor of our team's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Invite your guests to the reaffirmation ceremony and a celebratory reception (yes, you could include a wedding cake, dancing and toasts) to follow.

The New York Times

At a celebratory reception Wednesday night, the cocktail menu will include vintage drinks from the hotel's "Mad Men" era — Bacardi and Tab, anyone?

The New York Times

After winning the award, Tejada received a police escort from his home in Bani to the presidential palace for a celebratory reception.

The New York Times - Sports

This year's Happy List will be announced in a special section of the newspaper in June, and all the chosen 100 Happy Listers will be invited to a celebratory reception hosted in their honour by luxury hotel group Grange Hotels (www.grangehotels.com) in central London this summer.

Independent

Senator John D. Rockefeller IV of West Virginia, the senior Democrat on the intelligence panel, said he was always pessimistic that the troops would get a celebratory reception in southern Iraq because Shiite Muslims there believe they were abandoned by the United States after the first gulf war.

The New York Times

The celebratory reception, marking a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the final, was back in September and, if the king had initially been fixated with Essa Ghaleb, it was the man who had masterminded the success who drew most admiring glances.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Students will normally have to cover the cost of their gown hire or purchase and some institutions may charge for guest ceremony attendance and celebratory receptions," she says.

The Guardian

Champagne receptions and celebratory speeches were ditched to avoid seeming smug at a time of economic crisis.

The Economist

There was no other place to have lunch, meet a friend for a drink after work, or give our children's showers and receptions and celebratory brunches.

The New York Times

Carnival Cruise Lines alone expects some 2,200 couples will marry aboard its ships this year paying anywhere from $1,195 for a basic civil ceremony to $1,795 for a deluxe romance package with a one-and-a-half-hour reception and a celebratory ice carving.

The New York Times - Travel

After the celebratory tone of Christ's reception into heaven, marked by the choir's D major acclamation "Let all the angels of God worship him", the "Whitsun" section proceeds through a series of contrasting moods—serene and pastoral in "How beautiful are the feet", theatrically operatic in "Why do the nations so furiously rage"—towards the Part II culmination of "Hallelujah".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event, use "celebratory reception" to highlight the joyous and honorific nature of the gathering. This term implies a planned and organized event following a significant occasion.

Common error

While "celebratory reception" is appropriate for formal events, using it too casually can sound pretentious. Consider using simpler terms like "party" or "gathering" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "celebratory reception" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a specific type of event designed to commemorate or honor an occasion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "celebratory reception" describes a formal and joyous event designed to commemorate a special occasion or achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. While grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media contexts, it is advisable to use simpler alternatives such as "festive gathering" or "celebration party" in informal contexts to avoid sounding pretentious. This phrase is most appropriate when describing organized events following significant milestones, conveying an air of formality and honor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

victory celebration

Directly denotes a celebration of an achievement or win.

festive gathering

Focuses on the lively and joyful atmosphere of the event.

post-event celebration

Specifically refers to a celebration occurring after a major event.

gala celebration

Emphasizes the formal and elaborate nature of the celebration.

jubilant social

Implies a very cheerful and sociable gathering.

joyful party

Highlights the happiness and merriment of the occasion.

commemorative banquet

Stresses the commemorative aspect of the event, often involving a formal meal.

honoree's welcome

Focuses on the welcoming aspect for a specific person being honored.

triumphal feast

Suggests a celebration of a significant victory or achievement.

recognition event

Emphasizes that the event serves as a form of recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "celebratory reception" in a sentence?

You can use "celebratory reception" to describe a formal event that celebrates an achievement or occasion. For example, "The team was invited to a "celebratory reception" after winning the championship."

What is a less formal alternative to "celebratory reception"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "celebration party", "festive gathering", or simply "party" depending on the context. These alternatives convey a similar sense of joy without the formality implied by "celebratory reception".

When is it appropriate to use "celebratory reception" instead of "party"?

"Celebratory reception" is most appropriate when describing a planned event, often with a formal or official element, such as a reception following an award ceremony or a wedding. "Party" is more general and can refer to any informal gathering.

What's the difference between a "celebratory reception" and a "celebration"?

A "celebration" is a general term for any act of rejoicing or commemorating something. A "celebratory reception" is a specific type of event – a formal gathering, often following another event, intended to celebrate something. So, a "celebratory reception" is a type of celebration.