plus-one

or plus one

[ pluhs-wuhn ]

noun

1. a person who accompanies someone to a party or other event when the invitation allows the invited guest to bring another person:

   I phoned Tom to ask if he would be my plus-one at the gala.

plus-one

noun

1. informal.
   a person who accompanies an invited person to a social function

Word History and Origins

Origin of plus-one¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Her daughter Emily Killian, a 43-year-old public school educator, was there as her plus-one.

From Slate

Some years ago, I was a guest for lunch there, the plus-one of an English friend who had been invited by Vanderlip’s grande dame daughter-in-law Elin.

From Los Angeles Times

The thought of the approaching holidays and having to attend the firm’s end-of-year party without a plus-one made me gasp.

From Los Angeles Times

I feel like I’m a guest, that I’m a plus-one to somebody’s party, and I’m trying to do my best.

From Los Angeles Times

The thought of the approaching holidays and having to attend the firm’s end-of-year party without a plus-one made me gasp.

From Los Angeles Times