What is party? Pronunciation and usage in English

party means . Learn how to pronounce and use party through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of party

partynoun

/ˈpɑːti/
Definition & pronunciation of party

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "party" in English! There are actually two common pronunciations, and it depends on where you're from:

1. American English (Most Common):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈpɑː.ti/ (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)
  • How to say it: Think of it as "PAR-tee."
    • "PAR" is pronounced like the word "part" (as in "apart"). It’s a short, crisp sound.
    • "tee" is pronounced like the letter "tea." It’s a short, quick "ee" sound, like in "see."

2. British English:

  • Pronunciation: /ˈpɑː.ti/ (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet) – It’s the same as American English! However, it can sometimes be slightly softer and more drawn out.
  • How to say it: Similar to American English – “PAR-tee” – but sometimes with a softer "tee" sound.

Key Differences & Tips:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("PAR").
  • Vowel sound: The “tee” sound is the key difference. In American English, it's a short, clear "ee." In British English, it can be slightly softer and less emphasized.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce party" and you'll find audio examples from both American and British sources.
  • YouTube: Many videos demonstrate the pronunciation clearly: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s-9UaN8VzZY (This is a good American pronunciation example)
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/party/ This website lets you hear the word pronounced by native speakers from around the world.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (generally – US, UK, Australia, etc.)?

Usage and examples with the word party in English

Let's break down how to use the word "party" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word that can mean a lot of different things! Here's a breakdown by category:

1. Parties as Celebrations (The Most Common Meaning)

  • Social Gathering: This is the most common usage. It refers to a gathering of people for enjoyment, often involving food, drinks, music, and conversation.
    • "We're having a party for Sarah's birthday next weekend."
    • "They threw a big party to celebrate their anniversary."
    • "I love going to parties – it’s a great way to socialize."
  • Types of Parties:
    • Birthday Party: (Specific to celebrating a birthday)
    • Wedding Party: (People involved in a wedding)
    • House Party: (A party held in someone's home)
    • Dinner Party: (A party centered around a meal)
    • Pool Party: (A party held by a pool)
    • Costume Party: (A party where people dress up in costumes)

2. Parties as Roles or Groups

  • Political Party: A group of people with similar political beliefs who work to gain power and influence.
    • "He's a member of the Democratic Party."
    • "The political parties are debating the new legislation."
  • Religious Party: A group of people within a religion who share common beliefs and practices.
    • "They are part of the Catholic party."
  • Party (in a process or organization): Sometimes used to describe a stage or phase within a process, especially in business or government.
    • "The company is in a growth party." (meaning a period of rapid expansion)
    • "The investigation is still in the party stage." (meaning a preliminary stage)

3. Parties as a Verb

  • To Host a Party: To organize and throw a party.
    • "They partied all night long."
    • “She's planning a party for her daughter."
  • To Participate in a Party: To attend and enjoy a party.
    • "I partied with my friends last night."
  • To Celebrate (Informal): Less common, but you can use "party" as a verb to mean to celebrate something enthusiastically.
    • “Let’s party like it’s our last day!” (This is a more informal, energetic phrase.)

4. Figurative Uses

  • Party (to a cause or movement): To support or join a cause or movement.
    • "She partied for environmental protection.”

Key Considerations:

  • Context is crucial. The meaning of "party" depends entirely on how it’s used in the sentence.
  • Formal vs. Informal: "Party" is generally more informal in its definition as a social gathering.

Resources to Help You Learn More:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using "party" in different contexts?
  • Explain a specific usage of "party" that you're curious about?

Synonyms for the word party

Idioms of the word party

be (a) party to something
(formal)to be involved in an agreement or action
  • to be party to a decision
  • He refused to be a party to any violence.
bring something to the party/table
to contribute something useful to a discussion, project, etc.
  • What Hislop brought to the party was real commitment and energy.

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