attic

The word “attic” means the space, often sloped and unfinished, directly under the roof of a house, typically used for storage. In plain terms, most commonly the storage space under a roof; less commonly, an adjective describing ancient Athenian style.

“Attic” is pronounced A-tihk (/ˈætɪk/ in IPA).

Here is “attic” used in a sentence: “They found boxes of old photographs in the attic.”

Words with a similar meaning to “attic” include garret and top floor.

Depending on how it is used, “attic” can be a noun and an adjective.

The word “attic” comes from French. From French attique, ultimately from the Greek region Attica — the term originally described a decorative upper storey built in the classical Athenian architectural style.

“Attic” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Attic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the space, often sloped and unfinished, directly under the roof of a house, typically used for storage.

An "attic" and a "loft" both describe the space directly under a roof, and the terms are largely interchangeable, though "attic" is more common in American English and often implies unfinished storage space, while "loft" is favored in British English and can also describe a converted living space.

When capitalized, "Attic" refers to ancient Athens and its surrounding region, or to the classical, refined style associated with it, as in "Attic Greek." Lowercase "attic" instead refers to the storage space under a roof, so capitalization signals which meaning is intended.

An attic is the space, often sloped and unfinished, directly under the roof of a house, and it's typically used for storage rather than daily living. Some attics are converted into usable rooms, but the term itself implies a secondary, often cramped, space.