Word Meaning Differences – How to Use Having, Holding, Giving, and Throwing Parties

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What is the difference between "hold a party", "have a party", "give a party" and "throw a party"?

Is there any difference in meaning? Can we use them interchangeably?

Could you provide some examples (if any exist) where we can't replace one by another?

Best Answer

I think they're all pretty much interchangeable. As I tried to think of an exception, I wondered if throw would be a bit more appropriate for a wild party, and less appropriate for a less festive occasion. However, I found plenty of instances of "throw an office party" on Google, enough to convince me that throw doesn't necessarily imply "wild and crazy."

One additional verb you could use is "host": We are going to host a party on the 11th.

For what it's worth, here's an Ngram, but there's nothing too remarkable there.