noun
- a noisy mock serenade or celebration, traditionally performed by friends to newlyweds, often involving pots, pans, and shouting
Usage: chiefly North American; also spelled charivari or shivaree
verb
- to subject someone to a chivaree; to celebrate or mock with a noisy serenade
Usage: chiefly North American; transitive
Examples
- The newlyweds were surprised by a chivaree outside their home on their wedding night.
- Friends decided to chivaree the couple by gathering with noisemakers and pots.
- In frontier communities, a chivaree was a common tradition to welcome newly married couples.
- The neighbors planned to chivaree them with music and good-natured chaos.
- A chivaree typically involved loud music, shouting, and playful disruption.
- They were chivareed by their friends, who made quite a racket with pans and bells.