portico
4 synonyms for portico, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A roofed structure supported by columns, forming a porch at the entrance of a building.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use portico
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
grand portico
columned portico
Corinthian portico
under the portico
An architectural term, standard in descriptions of classical and neoclassical buildings.
Etymology
From Italian portico, from Latin porticus, "covered walk, porch", related to porta, "gate, door".
Full origin of portico →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a portico and a porch?
A porch is any covered area at a door, in any style. A portico is specifically a porch whose roof is carried on columns, in the classical manner. Every portico is a porch, but most porches are not porticos.
What is the difference between a portico and a colonnade?
A portico is a columned entrance porch with a roof and usually a pediment above it. A colonnade is simply a long row of columns supporting a roof or arches, often running along the side of a building or around a courtyard.
What is the plural of portico?
Both porticoes and porticos are accepted. Porticoes is the more traditional form and is the one most often seen in architectural writing.
