会|かいkai[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, noun (suffix)meeting; assembly; party; gathering; conference; athletic meet
   この会かいに出席しゅっせきしている他たの代表者だいひょうしゃに直接ちょくせつ話はなすのではなく、どうか議長ぎちょうに話はなして下ください。↗

   Kindly address yourself to the chairman, not directly to other representatives at this meeting.
2. noun, noun (suffix)society; association; club
   この会かいの名称めいしょうはＥ．Ｓ．Ｓ．とする。↗

   This association shall be called the E.S.S.

• Synonym集まりあつまりNeutralEveryday word for a gathering or get-together, fairly casual. 「会」 mostly appears as a suffix in specific names like 「歓迎会」, and also means organizations.
• Synonym集いつどいWrittenNative-Japanese word for a gathering, often in event names like 「春の集い」 or 「追悼の集い」, with a warm, friendly feel. Written register.
• SynonymパーティーNeutralLoanword for a social party or drinks reception, with a Western flavor. 「会」 is broader, covering both discussion and socializing.
• Synonym会合かいごうNeutralA gathering for discussion; leans written and businesslike. 「会」 covers all kinds of gatherings and can also mean the organization itself.
• Synonym集会しゅうかいWrittenMany people assembling for a common purpose, usually a large public gathering. 「会」 has no size restriction. Written register.
• SynonymアソシエーションWrittenLoanword for an association, mostly in formal organization names. In everyday speech use 「協会」 or 「会」.
• Synonym会議かいぎNeutralA formal meeting to discuss set agenda items, with clear procedure. 「会」 can be any gathering and need not involve discussion.
• Synonym結社けっしゃWrittenA group organized on a lasting basis for a shared purpose, as in 「秘密結社」; leans political or legal. Written register.
• RelatedクラブNeutralUsually written 「クラブ」; a group of people with shared interests, or its clubhouse. 「会」 also means a group but not a place.
• Related団体だんたいNeutralAn organization or group of people with a shared purpose, as in 「団体旅行」; leans toward the organization sense. 「会」 also refers to gatherings.
• Related組合くみあいNeutralAn organization whose members pool funds to run a joint venture, or a labor union like 「労働組合」; has a clear economic purpose.
• Related宴うたげWrittenNative word for a banquet or drinking feast, with an elegant, literary air, as in 「宴を催す」. 「会」 need not involve food or drink.
• Related集合しゅうごうNeutralThe act of assembling in one place, as in 「集合時間」; not a party or an organization itself.
• Related宴会えんかいNeutralA banquet where people eat and drink together to socialize, as in 「宴会場」; usually a drinking party, more specific than 「会」.
• RelatedサークルNeutralLoanword for a hobby or interest group among students or in society at large, as in 「大学のサークル」; more casual than 「会」.
• RelatedクラブNeutralWritten in katakana, can also mean a nightclub-type venue. As a group it is close to 「会」, common in sports and social club names.

「会」 covers both gatherings and organizations, often as a suffix in names like 「歓迎会」. For an everyday get-together use 「集まり」, for a social party 「パーティー」, and for an interest group 「サークル」 or 「クラブ」; the remaining words are narrower or lean formal.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （カイ）一定いっていの目的もくてきをもって人ひとが集あつまること。会合かいごう、集会しゅうかい。
2. （カイ）一定いっていの目的もくてきをもって組織そしきされた集団しゅうだん。会派かいは。