noun
A2
Elementary
bookshelf
BUUK-shehlf
Bookshelf (noun) means a shelf, or set of shelves, used to store and display books. Example: “His bookshelf sagged under the weight of old encyclopedias.”
noun
1
A shelf, or set of shelves, used to store and display books.
"Another, with the bump of order unnaturally developed, had his folios and quartos all reduced, in binding, to one size, so that they might look even on his bookshelves."
— William Blades, The Enemies of Books (1902)
"His bookshelf sagged under the weight of old encyclopedias."
How to use bookshelf
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shelf built or used for storing books.
Common mistake
A "bookshelf" can be a single shelf or part of a larger unit, while a "bookcase" refers to the whole freestanding piece of furniture.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- bookshelves
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ sagged under the weight of old encyclopedias.
Etymology
A compound of "book" and "shelf."
Frequently asked questions
What does “bookshelf” mean?
The word “bookshelf” means a shelf, or set of shelves, used to store and display books. In plain terms, a shelf built or used for storing books.
How do you pronounce “bookshelf”?
“Bookshelf” is pronounced BUUK-shehlf (/ˈbʊkˌʃɛlf/ in IPA).
How do you use “bookshelf” in a sentence?
Here is “bookshelf” used in a sentence: “His bookshelf sagged under the weight of old encyclopedias.”
What part of speech is “bookshelf”?
“Bookshelf” is a noun.
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