A veranda is a roofed, open-sided platform at ground level, running along the outside of a building. A balcony projects from an upper floor, enclosed by a railing, with nothing beneath it. Height is the reliable difference: verandas sit on the ground, balconies hang off the building.
The core difference
Both are outdoor platforms attached to a building. Where they sit is what separates them.
- veranda — ground level, roofed, usually running along one or more sides.
- balcony — projects from an upper storey, railed, generally unroofed.
The related words
Porch is a covered entrance, usually smaller and focused on the door. Patio is a paved outdoor area, typically unroofed and not attached to the building in the same way. Terrace is a raised, flat outdoor area, which may be at ground level or on a roof. Loggia is a gallery open on one side, often arcaded.
Spelling and origin
Veranda and verandah are both accepted, the h-form being more common in British and Indian English. The word reached English from Hindi and Portuguese, reflecting the architecture of colonial India, and traces back to Portuguese varanda, railing.
