la soirée

Word: soirée

Meaning

The French word "soirée" primarily means an evening event or party, often one that is elegant or sophisticated. It typically refers to a social gathering, taking place in the evening, with a focus on entertainment, conversation, music, or dancing.

Parts

• soir: means "evening"
• The suffix -ée is often used in French to form nouns, indicating something related to or happening during a particular time, in this case "the evening."

Explanation

A soirée is not just any informal meeting; it often suggests a cultivated or upscale gathering, such as a small party, cultural event, or a night occasion with guests, possibly involving music, cocktails, or thematic entertainment.

Synonyms

• Party
• Gathering
• Reception
• Event
• Get-together

Antonyms

• Morning
• Daytime event (e.g., "journée" meaning day)
• Casual meeting (when focusing on the formal connotation)

Additional Information

In English, the word "soirée" is borrowed directly from French, retaining the sense of a classy evening party.

---

If you want to explore usage:

• Nous organisons une soirée ce soir. — "We are organizing an evening party tonight."
• La soirée était très agréable. — "The evening event was very pleasant."