halls
Halls (noun) means Student housing at a university, especially in the UK ("halls of residence"). Example: “Most first-years live in halls during their first term.”
How to use halls
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShorthand for university dormitory housing, mostly used in British English.
British English calls student housing "halls"; American English usually says "dorms."
Word forms
Hallses plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Most first-years live in _____ during their first term.
Etymology
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for halls
See all rhymes for halls →Frequently asked questions
What does “halls” mean?
The word “halls” means student housing at a university, especially in the UK ("halls of residence"). In plain terms, shorthand for university dormitory housing, mostly used in British English.
How do you use “halls” in a sentence?
Here is “halls” used in a sentence: “Most first-years live in halls during their first term.”
What part of speech is “halls”?
“Halls” is a noun.
Is “halls” a common word?
“Halls” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between halls and dormitory?
Halls, short for "halls of residence," is the term commonly used in the UK for student housing at a university. Dormitory, often shortened to "dorm," is the more common term in American English for the same kind of on-campus student accommodation.
Is halls a British or American term for student housing?
Halls is primarily British usage, short for "halls of residence," referring to student housing at a university. American English typically uses "dorm" or "dormitory" instead.
Do halls always mean student accommodation?
In the specific sense relevant to universities, yes, halls refers to student housing, especially in the UK phrase "halls of residence." The plain word "hall" can also refer to other things, such as a large room or a corridor, but "halls" in the student-housing sense specifically means residence accommodation.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include halls: