ceilidh
noun
cei·lidh ˈkā-lē 
variants or less commonly ceili
Scotland and Ireland
: a party with music, dancing, and often storytelling
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The wedding featured three musical moments in total: Italian jazz, followed by a ceilidh band, and then an ’80s and ’90s disco by DJ Henri, which had everyone dancing past 3 a.m. 
Emma Elwick-bates, Vogue, 28 June 2022 She’s a member of the Irish American Club and a traditional Irish ceilidh dancer. Elissa Welle, Detroit Free Press, 9 Feb. 2022 But later in the episode, while attending a traditional Scottish ceilidh — think of the Gatherings featured on Outlander — at Borthwick Castle, McTavish and his hips are given their rightful time to shine. Sarene Leeds, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2021 The week-long digital celebration features Scottish ceilidh and bagpipe bands, harpists, Highland dancers and former U.S. national Scottish fiddling champ Melinda Crawford Perttu. Joan Rusek, cleveland, 22 Dec. 2020 The event will feature Scottish ceilidh and bagpipe bands, harpists, Highland dancers, and former U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Champion Melinda Crawford Perttu. cleveland, 18 Dec. 2020 Revelers looking to get an early start on the fun should show up Friday evening for a ceilidh. Greg Crawford And Ashley Zlatopolsky, Detroit Free Press, 3 Aug. 2017 See More
Emma Elwick-bates, Vogue, 28 June 2022 She’s a member of the Irish American Club and a traditional Irish ceilidh dancer. Elissa Welle, Detroit Free Press, 9 Feb. 2022 But later in the episode, while attending a traditional Scottish ceilidh — think of the Gatherings featured on Outlander — at Borthwick Castle, McTavish and his hips are given their rightful time to shine. Sarene Leeds, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2021 The week-long digital celebration features Scottish ceilidh and bagpipe bands, harpists, Highland dancers and former U.S. national Scottish fiddling champ Melinda Crawford Perttu. Joan Rusek, cleveland, 22 Dec. 2020 The event will feature Scottish ceilidh and bagpipe bands, harpists, Highland dancers, and former U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Champion Melinda Crawford Perttu. cleveland, 18 Dec. 2020 Revelers looking to get an early start on the fun should show up Friday evening for a ceilidh. Greg Crawford And Ashley Zlatopolsky, Detroit Free Press, 3 Aug. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Irish céilí & Scottish Gaelic cèilidh visit, social evening, party with music and dancing, from Old Irish céilide visit, from céile servant, companion, neighbor; akin to Welsh cilydd companion, Old Breton kiled
First Known Use
1875, in the meaning defined above
ceilidhs
noun
variants also ceilis
as in festivals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- festivals
- sings
- hootenannies
- jam sessions
- fêtes
- recitals
- jams
- shindigs
- symphonies
- concerts
- presentations
- fetes
- songfests
- musicales
- performances