apartment
uh-PAHT-muhnt
Apartment (noun) means a self-contained set of rooms for living in, forming part of a larger building; a flat. Example: “They rented a one-bedroom apartment near the university.”
noun
1
A self-contained set of rooms for living in, forming part of a larger building; a flat.
"They rented a one-bedroom apartment near the university."
"Their apartment is on the third floor and has a small balcony."
"She moved into an apartment above a bakery."
2
A single room within a larger house or residence.
"For the matter of that, it is difficult to make a nice, genteel sitting-room out of an apartment of which the principal features are a sink and a big gas stove."
— Marie Adelaide Belloc Lowndes, The Lodger (1913)
"The guest apartment overlooked the garden."
"The old house had a private apartment at the back for the housekeeper."
"Guests stayed in an apartment inside the manor, reached by its own staircase."
How to use apartment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA home that's one unit within a bigger building, rather than a standalone house.
UK vs US
American English favors "apartment"; British English more often uses "flat" for the same thing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
rent an apartment
apartment building
studio apartment
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Word forms
- Plural
- apartments
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They rented a one-bedroom _____ near the university.
Etymology
From French appartement, from Italian appartamento, related to "apart" — originally meaning a separated part of a building.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for apartment
See all rhymes for apartment →Frequently asked questions
What does “apartment” mean?
The word “apartment” means a self-contained set of rooms for living in, forming part of a larger building; a flat. In plain terms, a home that's one unit within a bigger building, rather than a standalone house.
How do you pronounce “apartment”?
“Apartment” is pronounced uh-PAHT-muhnt (/əˈpɑɹt.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “apartment” in a sentence?
Here is “apartment” used in a sentence: “They rented a one-bedroom apartment near the university.”
What part of speech is “apartment”?
“Apartment” is a noun.
Where does the word “apartment” come from?
The word “apartment” comes from French. From French appartement, from Italian appartamento, related to "apart" — originally meaning a separated part of a building.
Is “apartment” a common word?
“Apartment” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “apartment” have?
“Apartment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a self-contained set of rooms for living in, forming part of a larger building; a flat.
What is the difference between an apartment and a flat?
There is essentially no difference in meaning — both are self-contained homes within a larger building. 'Apartment' is the usual word in American English, while 'flat' is standard in British English. In some markets 'apartment' also hints at a more modern or upmarket property, but the core meaning is identical.
What is the difference between an apartment and a condo?
The distinction is about ownership, not layout. 'Apartment' usually implies a unit that is rented from a landlord, while a condominium, or condo, is a similar unit that the resident owns. The same building can hold both, so the words often describe who holds the keys rather than the design.
What is the difference between an apartment and a house?
An apartment is one self-contained unit inside a larger building, sharing walls, entrances, and often floors with neighbours. A house is a standalone dwelling with its own external walls and usually its own land. Apartments suit denser, urban living; houses offer more space and independence.
What is a studio apartment?
A studio apartment is a compact unit in which the living room, bedroom, and kitchen share one open space, with only the bathroom separated. It is typically the smallest and most affordable apartment type, popular with single people and renters in expensive cities where space is at a premium.
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