ceilidh

variants also ceili
Definition of ceilidhnext
Scottish & Irish

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
Noun
  • This jam session at South Beach’s Kill Your Idol bar celebrates Black music with live performances of hip-hop, R&B and other genres.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Friday night’s program centers on performances by the Bay Area’s Aux Cajunals (featuring Eric and Suzy Thompson) and south Louisiana’s Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, with an evening-concluding jam session.
    Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Savannah College of Art and Design welcomed a cavalcade of stars to Atlanta for the 2026 SCAD TVfest — and Entertainment Weekly has exclusive photos of the celebrities at the annual festival.
    Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The film premiered at the Munich Film Festival, winning the FIPRESCI Prize and the German Cinema New Talent Award, before hitting the international film festival circuit.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Drawing from much more than the caustic hardcore the group have made their name on, Man Bites Dog throws jock jams, late-aughts electro-pop, and industrial into a huge Margaritaville-sized blender.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The Best Way To Store Opened Jam While unopened jars of jam can be safely stored in a cool, dry cupboard or pantry, opened jars should always be refrigerated.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The church annually has a songfest following Dec. 25, which actually begins the Christmas season, but this one will honor the Rev. Wally Hyclak, who is retiring Jan. 1.
    cleveland, cleveland, 13 Dec. 2019
  • The songfest began with the women introducing themselves by singing out their names.
    Dennis Hohenberger, Courant Community, 29 May 2018
Noun
  • The company has continued the annual Hart Institute for Women Conductors and Titus Family vocal recital.
    Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • But what was once known as the Lieder recital — the German title for songs in a genre once dominated by Schubert, Schumann, Hugo Wolf and Richard Strauss — has approached its sell-by date.
    Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ceilidh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceilidh. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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