ceilidh

noun

variants also ceili
Definition of ceilidhnext
Scottish & Irish
as in sing

Related Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ceilidh This evolved into a new wave of ceilidh pride — from rural Scots to the diaspora in New York and Melbourne — with TikTok users reimagining traditional dance culture through a modern electronic lens. — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025 Apparently the best and prettiest dancer gets chosen, but the only thing Ellen really cares about is that Brian also makes his way into the ceilidh and winds up her temporary partner during the group dance. — Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 29 Aug. 2025 Dancing The Irish Network hosts its annual ceili (dance) from 4 to 7pm Sunday at the Hyatt Centric French Quarter. — Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025 The Scotland episode sandwiches the synagogue moment with Levy standing in an ornate castle doing Sean Connery impressions, visiting a tailor to custom-make a kilt, and at a ceilidh, dancing in a kilt and making jokes about the ventilation. — Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2024 Make sure to grab a wee dram at The Malt Room, Inverness’ first whisky bar, followed by Hootananny, a ceilidh cafe for live traditional Scottish folk music (even Mumford and Sons have played here). — Marisel Salazar, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Dec. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceilidh
  1. jam session
  2. festival
  3. jam
  4. songfest
  5. recital
Noun
  • There was a jam session during cocktail hour, with music stations around the redwoods with instruments for people to pick up and play with each other.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The drummer was running a weekly jam session at Augie’s, an Upper West Side jazz spot that’s now home to Smoke Jazz Club.
    — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of jam session
Noun
  • For 70 years, the festival has brought really the best of the year in cinema to audiences.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Couples who match through the program are offered vouchers for subsequent dates, access to follow-up activities tied to festivals around Seoul, as well as an online and offline community where participants can stay connected.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of festival
Noun
  • Despite this informal, jam-forward approach, however, Silk Fence appear to be chasing something; an understated but steady coherence gives direction to even their most wandering moments.
    — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Last month, at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival in Western North Carolina, MGU rolled through an hour-long set of new material from Appalachian Smoke and intricate improvisational jams.
    — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of jam
Noun
  • As with other global cultural events, such as the Venice Biennale currently underway in Italy, the glittery annual songfest is intended as a display of goodwill and togetherness between nations.
    — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 16 May 2026
  • The songfest began with the women introducing themselves by singing out their names.
    — Dennis Hohenberger, Courant Community, 29 May 2018
Definition of songfest
Noun
  • They’re expected to be present for every recital and every board meeting.
    — Simbiat Adighije, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The gold medalist will receive $75,000, a Carnegie Hall recital debut, a recording contract and four years of website development.
    — Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of recital

Browse Nearby Words

ceding (to)
ceilidh
ceilidhs
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Cite this Entry

“Ceilidh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceilidh. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ceilidh

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ceilidh

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