Bring a Plus One Meaning and How to Use It

Meaning 1：bring a guest (bring a plus one)

bring a plus one 🔊

/brɪŋ ə plʌs wʌn/

phrase

To be allowed to bring an extra person, like a date or friend, with you to a social event you're invited to.

Wedding invitation with 'and Guest' text on table

bring a guest 🔊

➕

/brɪŋ ə ɡɛst/

phrase

To have permission to bring an extra person, such as a date or friend, to an event you are invited to.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Plus one' from math addition; 'bring' means to accompany. Combined, it refers to bringing an additional guest.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'plus one' as pressing +1 on a guest list. Easy: you are allowed to add one more person.

📖 Example

The wedding invitation said we could bring a plus one, so I'm taking my cousin. 🔊 The wedding invitation said we could bring a plus one, so I'm taking my cousin.

🔗 Collocations

bring a plus one – to bring an extra guest

have a plus one – to be allowed to bring an extra person

bring your plus one – to bring the person you are accompanying

🔄 Synonyms

bring a guest (phrase) – to bring an extra person to an event

come accompanied (phrase) – to attend an event with another person

bring a date (phrase) – to bring a romantic partner to an event

🚫 Antonyms

come alone (phrase) – to attend an event without any companion

go stag (phrase) – to attend a social event unaccompanied

📖 Cultural Story

Common on wedding invitations and party invites, 'bring a plus one' allows the guest to bring a date. It became popular in mid-20th century social etiquette.