an organization to gain political power
"in 1992 Perot tried to organize a third party at the national level"
an occasion on which people can assemble for social interaction and entertainment
"he planned a party to celebrate Bastille Day"
A person or group of people constituting a particular side in a contract or legal action.
"Both parties agreed to settle the lawsuit out of court before the final hearing date arrived."
In plain English: A party is a social gathering where people come together to celebrate, have fun, and enjoy each other's company.
"We invited all our friends to celebrate my birthday at a small party."
Usage: Use "party" to refer to any individual or group involved in an agreement, lawsuit, or social gathering. Do not use it when you mean the food served at a celebration, which is simply called a party without further qualification.
To celebrate at a party, to have fun, to enjoy oneself.
"After hours of studying for finals, we finally decided to go out and party all night long."
In plain English: To party means to go out and have fun with friends, usually by dancing, drinking, or making noise late into the night.
"We decided to party all night at the beach house."
Usage: Use the verb "party" to describe celebrating enthusiastically or engaging in wild behavior, often with others. Avoid using it when simply attending a formal gathering without active participation in the festivities.
Divided; in part.
"The party responsible for the accident was not just the driver, but also the mechanic who ignored safety warnings."
In plain English: Party describes something that is lively, fun, and full of excitement.
"The party dress looked wonderful at her birthday celebration."
Usage: Use "party" only as an adjective to describe something divided or incomplete, such as in the phrase "a party wall." It should not be used to mean social gatherings, which remains its primary noun form.
The word party comes from the Old French partie, meaning "side" or "portion," which itself derives from the Latin pars for "a part." It entered English around 1300 to describe a division or group, evolving from its original sense of something that has been split apart.