Before the party, you go to a friend's apartment. You have a few drinks. You play music. You get ready. That is pre-gaming. The verb form is "pre-game." It means to drink alcohol before going to an event. The goal is to save money and loosen up. It is common in college and among young adults.

Pre-gaming is a social ritual. It is often more fun than the event itself. You are with close friends. The pressure is low. The drinks are cheap. You talk. You laugh. You take photos. Then you leave. The night is young. The pre-game is over.

Related terms

• Pregame: the noun, the gathering.
• Kickback: a casual gathering.
• Turn up: to party.
• Rage: to party hard.

Pre-gaming has risks. You can drink too much. You can skip the event. You can get alcohol poisoning. The word is neutral. The behavior is not. If you pre-game, pace yourself. Eat food. Drink water. The night is long. The pre-game is just the start.