Networking Event: Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：Professional meetup (networking event)

networking event 🔊

/ˈnɛtwɜːrkɪŋ ɪˈvɛnt/

An event where people meet to build professional relationships and exchange ideas.

Professionals exchanging business cards at a networking event

Professional meetup 🔊

➕

/prəˈfɛʃənəl ˈmiːtʌp/

A social occasion where individuals gather to develop business connections, exchange information, and advance their careers.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'net' (mesh) + 'work' (activity) + '-ing', and 'event' from Latin 'eventus' (outcome).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine throwing a 'net' over a 'working' party to catch contacts.

📖 Example

I met my future business partner at a networking event for young entrepreneurs last month. 🔊 I met my future business partner at a networking event for young entrepreneurs last month.

🔗 Collocations

attend a networking event – Participate in an event for building professional contacts

organize a networking event – Plan and host a gathering for professional connection

networking event schedule – The planned timeline and agenda of such an event

🔄 Synonyms

business mixer (n.) – An informal social event for businesspeople to meet new contacts.

career fair (n.) – An event where employers and job seekers interact, often including networking.

professional gathering (n.) – Any assembly of people in a work-related context to exchange ideas.

🚫 Antonyms

solitary work (n.) – Tasks performed alone without social interaction.

isolation (n.) – The state of being separated from others.

social withdrawal (n.) – The act of avoiding contact with others.

🌱 Derivatives

networker (n.) – A person who actively builds professional relationships.

network (v./n.) – To interact with others for professional or social purposes; a group of interconnected people.

networking (adj./n.) – The activity of building contacts; related to such events.

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'networking' was borrowed from computer science in the 1960s to describe building professional relationships, now a cornerstone of career advancement.