after-party

American

[af-ter-pahr-tee, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˌpɑr ti, ˈɑf- /

Or afterparty or after party

noun

plural

after-parties

a usually exclusive party that takes place after a performance or other event or after the main party.

The screening of the premiere was followed by an afterparty.

Usage

What is an after-party? An after-party is a party that happens after an event or after the main party. The after-party is usually smaller, less formal, and more exclusive (meaning fewer people are invited). After-parties are usually held after events like concerts, dances, weddings, and award ceremonies. Since such events are usually at least somewhat formal, the after-party is often intended as an opportunity for people to really let loose. It is also commonly seen without a hyphen (afterparty) and as two words (after party). Example: At the end of the wedding reception, the best man announced that he was having an after-party at his house for anyone who wanted to keep on partying past midnight.

Etymology

Origin of after-party

First recorded in 1940–45; after ( def. ) + party ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hundreds of pounds of caviar, black truffle, sushi and tomahawk steak have been shipped to Hollywood for the traditional lavish Oscars after-party this Sunday.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

It was scheduled to include a panel discussion featuring National Basketball Players Assn. president Andre Iguodala followed by an after-party with around 200 invited guests.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Following dinner and dancing, the couple got everyone on a bus and headed to an after-party, which went until they “kicked everyone out” at 2 a.m.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025

Though warn relatives in advance so they can back out of your dry dinner, or bar hop, or plan an after-party on their own later.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025

Most kids had stayed inside for some sort of basketball after-party in the gym, and anyone out here was in their car and gone within minutes.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023