reception

A party where guests gather to celebrate something or welcome someone.

• We attended a reception last night.
• Their wedding reception was in a hotel.
• The mayor hosted a reception for visiting artists.

How to use it: a reception for someone (The town held a reception for the winning team.)

Similar words: party, gathering

Common phrases: wedding reception, hold a reception, attend a reception, official reception

The way people react to a new work, product, or idea.

• The film received a warm reception.
• Critical reception of the album was mixed.
• The game's positive reception encouraged the developers.

How to use it: the reception of something (The reception of her new book surprised her.)

Similar words: response, reaction

Common phrases: critical reception, positive reception, mixed reception, reception of something

The way people treat someone or respond to something when they first meet or hear it.

• We received a friendly reception.
• His joke got a cold reception.
• The visitors were surprised by their hostile reception.

How to use it: give someone/something a ... reception (The audience gave her speech a warm reception.); meet with a ... reception (His suggestion met with a cold reception.)

Similar words: welcome, response

Common phrases: warm reception, cold reception, hostile reception, reception for someone