soiree

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'soiree' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a French word that describes a gathering of people, usually after dark, for socializing and entertainment. You can use it in formal or informal contexts. For example: "We are having a soiree next weekend to celebrate our friend's birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tickets for Friday's soiree, at Stratford's appropriately-named Bear Pit theatre, are available for £8.

The Guardian - Sport

Qatar-owned news broadcaster al-Jazeera English moved into its new home in London's Shard on Bonfire night – not with a bang, but with a soiree to mark about 200 staff relocating from Knightsbridge and Westminster Tower.

The Guardian

Still, back for my first southern Christmas since 1992, the north doesn't seem so far away.On the ridge east of Queen Street, I attend a hotel's Christmas soiree.

The Economist

After my book Refusing the Veil came out last year, some female Muslim acquaintances organised a soiree for me to read from it and discuss its contents.

Independent

The Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, nowadays their closest approximation to a Derby, enables patriots of the French Turf to celebrate Bastille Day with a sunlit soiree in the Bois de Boulogne.

Independent

In 2005, Pankhurst sold the site to ITV for £175m, but ITV was late in arriving to a party at which most of the guests were already departing for a better soiree elsewhere down the information superhighway.

Independent

These are also usually the ones where you're reminded on an hourly basis that the soiree you're attending cost in excess of twenty grand and the lace on the bride's dress had to be hand-woven by Lithuanian imps and then flown over in a private jet on a silk pillow, cradled lovingly by an international diplomat.

Independent

I wore it to my first 'Vanity Fair' Oscar soiree, in 2004.

Independent

No Biedermeier household was complete without a piano as an indispensable part of the popularized soiree.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He seemed instead to conduct a continuous series of formal and informal audiences and a nightly soiree of receptions, banquets, music, dancing, movies, and wayang.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only the Royal Opera House could lose one star (the indisposed Dmitri Hvorostovsky) and find three others – well, five actually since Antonio Pappano, the evening's inspired accompanist, brought with him his orchestra's concert master, Vasko Vassilev, sweetly serenading us with Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov in so homespun a manner as to turn a public concert into a private soiree.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "soiree" when you want to evoke a sense of elegance and sophistication in describing an evening event. Ensure the context aligns with this formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "soiree" to describe casual gatherings or informal get-togethers. The term implies a level of formality that would be inappropriate in a relaxed setting.

Linguistic Context

Noun: The primary grammatical function of "soiree" is to serve as a noun, referring to a formal evening party. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in describing specific events, such as a 'Vanity Fair' Oscar "soiree" or a Christmas "soiree". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "soiree" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe a formal evening party. It is most commonly found in news and media, conveying a sense of sophistication and elegance. When writing, use "soiree" to evoke a refined atmosphere, but avoid it in informal contexts. Alternatives like "evening party" or "formal reception" may be more appropriate depending on the setting. Ludwig examples show a variety of contexts where "soiree" is effectively employed to depict sophisticated social events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evening party

Focuses on the time of day and the core activity of a "soiree".

formal reception

Emphasizes the formality and welcoming aspect of a "soiree".

social gathering

A broader term that captures the social aspect but lacks the elegance implied by "soiree".

evening social

Combines the time of day with the social aspect, making it a more descriptive alternative.

fancy party

Highlights the upscale nature of a "soiree" but is less formal in tone.

gala event

Emphasizes the celebratory and often charitable nature of a "soiree".

cocktail party

Specifies the type of refreshments served at the event.

dinner party

Highlights the meal as the main feature of the event.

celebration

A general term indicating a festive occasion.

get-together

An informal term for a social gathering, lacking the sophistication of a "soiree".

FAQs

How to use "soiree" in a sentence?

You can use "soiree" to describe a formal evening party, such as "The embassy hosted a grand "soiree" to celebrate their national day."

What can I say instead of "soiree"?

You can use alternatives like "evening party", "formal reception", or "social gathering" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "soiree" and "party"?

"Soiree" implies a formal, elegant evening event, while "party" is a more general term that can refer to any social gathering, formal or informal.

Is "soiree" an outdated term?

"Soiree" is not outdated but is considered a more sophisticated and somewhat old-fashioned term for a formal evening gathering. Its use can add a touch of elegance to your writing.