: a person who accompanies an invited guest to an event or gathering at which guests are allowed to bring a companion or partner
My husband twice received handsome engraved invitations to presidential dinners. For those events and many others, I was the perpetual plus-one.Ana Marie Cox

Examples of plus-one in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Politicians historically have used their State of the Union plus-ones to promote or protest federal policies. Jessica Boehm, Axios, 1 Mar. 2025 The year after Parasite, due to COVID, the Oscars were held at L.A.’s Union Station, with only the nominees and presenters, and their plus-ones, in attendance. Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, families still living together at home, couples, or guests with plus-ones can give joint gifts. Brooke Bobb, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2025 Internet users have backed a person's response after they were banned from having a plus-one at a wedding held in their property. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plus-one

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plus-one was in 1977

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Cite this Entry

“Plus-one.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plus-one. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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