gate-crasher

[ geyt-krash-er ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a person who attends or enters a social function without an invitation, a theater without a ticket, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gate-crasher¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

The gate-crasher did not make any notable gestures or attempt to speak.

From BBC

He arrived with his entourage, which included his black poodle, Escapade, and, in a brief kerfuffle, a ticket-taker thought Paulhan was a gate-crasher and demanded that he show his ticket.

From Los Angeles Times

Backstage Moreno missed the night’s other most memorable bit of drama: A New York City cabdriver, upset that Bob Hope hadn’t been nominated for his role as a radio host in “The Big Broadcast of 1938,” sneaked in, climbed onstage and announced, “Ladies and gentleman, I’m the world’s greatest gate-crasher and I just came here to present Bob Hope with his 1938 trophy.”

From New York Times

Sixteen months after summer music festivals were silenced by the coronavirus pandemic, a more infectious variant is showing up to this year’s gatherings like an unwelcome gate-crasher.

From Washington Post

It’s quite possible she’ll forever remain a gate-crasher.

From New York Times

Related Words

• burglar
• criminal
• infiltrator
• interloper
• invader
• raider
• squatter
• thief
• trespasser