Prom

A typical gathering, with boys in tuxedos/dinner suit, and girls in formal dresses with corsages on their wrists

Close-up of the corsages

Decorating for prom, students put finishing touches on a ballroom at a banquet hall

A promenade dance or promenade,^[1][2] commonly called a prom in American English,^[2] is a dance party for high school students. It may be offered in semi-formal black tie or informal suit for boys, and evening gowns for girls. This event is typically held at or near the end of the school year. There may be individual junior (11th grade) and senior (12th grade) proms or they may be combined.

At a prom, a "prom king" and a "prom queen" may be revealed. These are honorary titles awarded to students elected in a school-wide vote prior to the prom.^[3] Other students may be honored with inclusion in a prom court. The selection method for a prom court is similar to that of homecoming queen/princess, king/prince, and court. Inclusion in a prom court may be a reflection of popularity of those students elected and their level of participation in school activities, such as clubs or sports.^[4][5] The prom queen and prom king may be given crowns to wear. Members of the prom court may be given sashes to wear and photographed together.^[6]

Similar events, which may be locally inspired by debutante balls, take place in many other parts of the world. In Canada, the terms "formal" and "Grad" are often used, while in Australia and New Zealand, the terms school formal and ball are most commonly used for occasions equivalent to the American prom, and the event is usually held for students in Year 12. Many schools hold a formal graduation ball for finishing students at the end of the year in place of or as well as a formal. In Ireland, a debutante ball or debs may also be held. In Poland and Lithuania, high schools organize a "studniówka" (lt. “Šimtadienis”). The term "prom" has become more common in the United Kingdom and Canada because of the influence of American films and television shows, such as Grease. In South Africa, this event is widely known as a matric dance as students in their 12th year of school are called matric students. In South Asia, its equivalent is a farewell party.

Variation exists between different dialects with regard to whether prom is used with the definite article or not—e.g., whether one says "go to the prom" or "go to prom".^[7]