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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

stool

stool

Stool (noun) means a simple seat for one person with no back or armrests. Example: “She perched on a bar stool while waiting for her order.”

noun
1
A simple seat for one person with no back or armrests.
"She perched on a bar stool while waiting for her order."
"The kitchen island has three stools tucked underneath it."
2
Solid waste passed from the body; feces.
"The doctor asked for a stool sample to check for infection."

How to Use Stool

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA backless single seat, or (in medical contexts) a bowel movement.

When to use it

The medical sense is the standard clinical term, not a euphemism — doctors and nurses use it plainly.

Common pairings
bar stool stool sample perch on a stool

Word Forms

stooled past tense, stooled past tense, stools plural, stools singular, stools singular

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She perched on a bar _____ while waiting for her order.

Etymology

From Old English stōl ("chair, seat"), an ancient Germanic word also behind German Stuhl and Dutch stoel; ultimately from a root meaning "to stand".

Origin: Old English

Related Words

Rhymes for stool

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “stool” mean?

The word “stool” means a simple seat for one person with no back or armrests. In plain terms, a backless single seat, or (in medical contexts) a bowel movement.

How do you pronounce “stool”?

“Stool” is pronounced stool (/stuːl/ in IPA).

How do you use “stool” in a sentence?

Here is “stool” used in a sentence: “She perched on a bar stool while waiting for her order.”

What part of speech is “stool”?

“Stool” is a noun.

Where does the word “stool” come from?

The word “stool” comes from Old English. From Old English stōl ("chair, seat"), an ancient Germanic word also behind German Stuhl and Dutch stoel; ultimately from a root meaning "to stand".

Is “stool” a common word?

“Stool” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “stool” have?

“Stool” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a simple seat for one person with no back or armrests.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial