Formal Events & Objects 📆📦

Luncheon

The business partners met for a __________ to discuss the new project

She hosted a delightful __________ for her friends on Saturday

Definition: A formal lunch or light meal

Formality: Formal 🔵

Buff

He worked hard to get his body in peak physical ________.

* You need to ________ the car's paint to a shine.

* She's a real film ________, knowing everything about movies.

* Synonyms: Polish (verb), enthusiast (noun), strong (adjective)

* Definition: (Verb) To polish (something) with a soft material to make it shine. (Noun) An enthusiast or expert in a particular subject; a state of physical fitness.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (for polishing/fitness), 🔴 Informal (for enthusiast)

Veneer

The antique table had a thin ________ of mahogany.

* Beneath his polite ________, he was deeply troubled.

* The journalist tried to strip away the glossy ________ of the public statement.

* Synonyms: Facing, facade, coating

* Definition: (Noun) A thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material; an attractive but deceptive outward appearance. (Verb) To cover (something) with a veneer.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Paperweight

He used a smooth river stone as a ________ on his desk.

* The glass ________ was a beautiful souvenir from his trip.

* Without a ________, these papers would just blow away.

* Synonyms: Desk accessory, holder, weight

* Definition: A small, heavy object placed on top of papers to keep them from being scattered by the wind or an accidental movement.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Bow

Examples:

* The dancer took a graceful ________ at the end of her performance.

* He tied a pretty ribbon in a ________ around the gift.

* The ship's ________ cut through the waves.

* Synonyms: Salute, curtsy (noun), knot (noun), front (of ship)

* Definition: (Noun) A knot with two loops and two loose ends, used as a fastening or for decoration; the front end of a boat or ship; an act of bending the head or body forward as a sign of respect or greeting. (Verb) To bend the head or upper part of the body as a sign of respect, greeting, or assent.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (for knot/ship), 🔵 Formal (for respectful gesture)

Hallow

Examples:

* We gather to ________ this sacred ground with our prayers.

* The church aims to ________ the memory of the saints.

* This place is ________ed by history and tradition.

* Synonyms: Sanctify, consecrate, revere, honor

* Definition: To honor as holy; to make holy; sanctify.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal / Archaic (except in specific contexts like "Halloween")

Hoedown

Examples:

* They organized a country music ________ for the local festival.

* Everyone dressed in their best cowboy boots for the community ________.

* The night ended with a lively square dance ________.

* Synonyms: Barn dance, country dance, jamboree

* Definition: An American country dance or party, typically to country or folk music.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (cultural event, specific to US rural areas)

Maid of honor

Examples:

* My sister asked me to be her ________ at her wedding.

* The ________ helps the bride with wedding preparations.

* She wore a beautiful dress as the ________.

* Synonyms: Chief bridesmaid, bride's chief attendant

* Definition: An unmarried woman who is the chief bridesmaid at a wedding.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (specific to weddings)

Matinee

Examples:

* We went to the afternoon ________ of the Broadway show.

* The cinema offers discount tickets for the weekday ________.

* Her daughter had a dance recital ________.

* Synonyms: Afternoon performance, daytime show

* Definition: A performance of a play or film in the afternoon.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Pageant

1. Examples:

   • The annual beauty ________ attracted contestants from all over the state.

   • The historical ________ depicted scenes from the town's founding.

   • She trained for months to compete in the Miss Universe ________.

2. Synonyms: Spectacle, parade, show, competition (beauty)

3. Definition: A public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in elaborate costumes, or an outdoor performance of a historical scene; a beauty contest.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Pilgrimage

1. Examples:

   • Many devout Muslims undertake a ________ to Mecca.

   • It was a sentimental ________ to her childhood home.

   • The band's fans made a ________ to the legendary concert venue.

2. Synonyms: Journey (sacred), expedition, quest (figurative)

3. Definition: A journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion; a journey to a place associated with someone or something well known or respected.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Posthumously

1. Examples:

   • The author's last novel was published ________.

   • He was awarded the medal of honor ________ for his bravery.

   • Many artists achieved widespread recognition only ________.

2. Synonyms: After death, retrospectively (in some contexts)

3. Definition: After the death of the person concerned.

4. Formality: 🔵 Formal

Soiree

1. Examples:

   • They hosted an elegant ________ at their country estate.

   • The artist's exhibition opening was a lively ________.

   • We were invited to a musical ________ next weekend.

2. Synonyms: Party (formal), gathering, reception, evening event

3. Definition: An evening party or gathering, typically in a private house, for conversation or music.

4. Formality: 🔵 Formal / Slightly dated

Summit

1. Examples:

   • The world leaders held a ________ to discuss global climate change.

   • They finally reached the ________ of Mount Everest.

   • (Figurative) The conference was the ________ of their year-long research.

2. Synonyms: Peak, apex (literal), conference, meeting (diplomatic)

3. Definition: (Noun) The highest point of a hill or mountain; a meeting between heads of government.

4. Formality: ⚪ Neutral (literal), 🔵 Formal (meeting)