afterparty
/ˈɑːftərˌpɑːrti/
Very CommonA gathering that continues the night after a main event or party ends.
Afterparties are often more exclusive and looser than the main event. The word also gets used by celebrities and for industry events, which adds a VIP connotation in those contexts.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | club closed at 2 so we did an afterparty at taylors. didn't leave till 6 | After the venue closed, the group continued at a friend's place well into the morning. | instagram, 2024 |
| 02 | the afterparty is always better than the wedding. change my mind | The informal continuation of a formal event is more fun than the event itself. | x, 2023 |
| 03 | did you see who got photographed at the afterparty. that explains so much | A celebrity's attendance at an afterparty revealed something about their relationships or situation. | reddit, 2024 |
| 04 | afterparty invite only. if you have to ask you're not on the list | The post-event gathering is exclusive and not open to everyone at the main event. | tiktok, 2023 |
Use it when
- A smaller gathering continues after the main event wraps up.
- Inviting or being invited to continue the night somewhere after a show, wedding, or party.
- Describing a celebrity or industry event that follows a premiere or award show.
Do not use it when
- The gathering is just the main event.
- The event is the next day rather than the same night.
Afterparty vs pregame
afterparty
Afterparty is what happens after the main event ends.
VS
pregame
Pregame is what happens before the main event starts.
Origin and context
The term has existed in entertainment industry contexts since at least the 1970s, originally referring to gatherings after film premieres and awards ceremonies. It spread into mainstream social use through the 1990s and 2000s.
- First seen
- 1970s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/afterpartyUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0