Meaning & use
holiday bash
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountableinformal
An informal word for a lively party held to celebrate a holiday or festive season.
Grammar: Countable: a holiday bash, two holiday bashes.
Patterns
- a holiday bash at a place
- throw a holiday bash
- be invited to a holiday bash
The office is throwing a holiday bash on Friday night.
We were invited to a holiday bash at their new apartment.
The whole street came to the holiday bash in the community hall.
Word forms
| plural | holiday bashes |
|---|
Common combinations
- throw a holiday bash
- They throw a holiday bash every December.
- a holiday bash at the office
- There is a holiday bash at the office on the last day before the break.
- be invited to a holiday bash
- I was invited to a holiday bash at my neighbor's house.
- a big holiday bash
- She is planning a big holiday bash for New Year's Eve.
Synonyms and how they differ
- party
- The everyday, neutral word; holiday bash sounds more informal and suggests a louder, livelier event.
- celebration
- More formal and can be quiet or serious, whereas a bash is always a fun, noisy gathering.
- get-together
- Suggests a smaller, calmer meeting; a bash is bigger and more energetic.
Word family
- bash noun
- As a noun, an informal word for a party or a strong hit.
Commonly confused: holiday bash or holiday?
holiday bash vs holiday
On its own, holiday means a day of rest or a vacation; the party sense comes only with bash or a similar word.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'holiday bash' most naturally?
Choose one answer.
'Holiday bash' means a festive party, so throwing one for the team fits. The others treat it as a task, a rest, or a trip, which it does not mean.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “holiday bash”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.