Après-ski Definition & Meaning

American

British

Usage

Etymology

Examples

après-ski American [ah-prey-skee, ap-rey-] / ˌɑ preɪˈski, ˌæp reɪ- /

noun

1. the period of relaxation that follows skiing.

   menus suitable for après-ski.

adjective

1. pertaining to or suitable for such a time.

   après-ski clothes; an après-ski party.

après-ski British / ˌæpreɪˈskiː /

noun

1. 1. social activity following a day's skiing

   2. ( as modifier )

      an après-ski outfit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does après-ski mean? Après-ski refers to activities done to relax after skiing, like sitting by the fire or socializing at the ski lodge.Après-ski can be a noun, as in I’m most looking forward to après-ski, or an adjective, as in phrases like après-ski clothes or après-ski party.Après-ski is French for after-ski, so après-ski is kind of like the after-party for skiing (or other winter sports, like snowboarding), and it’s part of that culture. It’s sometimes associated in a negative way with the kind of wealthy people who can afford a luxury lifestyle that involves skiing and staying at fancy lodges and going to fancy parties.Example: I’m going to hit the slopes all day, but then I’m going to the après-ski.

Etymology

Origin of après-ski

1950–55; < French, equivalent to après after + ski ski, skiing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He has pared back personal luxuries like eating out with his wife and 10- and 12-year-old boys, including après-ski dinners.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not only was the American star 40 years old at the time—an age when most racers have traded their boots for après-ski.

From The Wall Street Journal

Après-ski is also different in the spring.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s a low-key atmosphere at resorts, the days are longer and warmer, and the sun shines more often, meaning less frostbite and more opportunities to celebrate alpine culture with a well-deserved après-ski libation on a sunny patio in late afternoon.

From The Wall Street Journal

We all hit the local mountain Saturday morning, before heading home to prep for the apres-ski themed reception.

From Slate

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.