WC
5 synonyms for WC, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A toilet, or the small room containing one; the standard sign for public lavatories across much of Europe.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use WC
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
separate WC
downstairs WC
WC sign
public WC
British and continental European rather than American; a US reader is far likelier to say restroom. On property listings a "separate WC" means a toilet in its own small room, without a bath or shower.
Etymology
An abbreviation of water closet, the Victorian term for a flushing lavatory.
Full origin of WC →Frequently asked questions
What does WC stand for on a toilet door?
Water closet. It dates from the era when a flushing lavatory was a small closet with a water supply, and it survived as a compact, language-neutral sign across Europe.
What is the difference between a WC and a bathroom?
A WC contains a toilet and usually a small basin. A bathroom contains a bath or shower as well. British property adverts list them separately for exactly that reason.
Is WC used in America?
Rarely. Americans say restroom, bathroom or men's/ladies' room, and the WC sign is mostly encountered when travelling in Europe.
