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noun

boudoir

BOOD-wah

Boudoir (noun) means a woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or bedroom. Example: “She retreated to her boudoir to write letters in peace.”

noun
1
A woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or bedroom.
"She retreated to her boudoir to write letters in peace."
"The old house still had a small boudoir off the main bedroom."

How to use boudoir

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA woman's private, often elegant, personal room.

When to use it

A slightly old-fashioned, romantic word — common in period fiction and in phrases like "boudoir photography."

Common pairings
boudoir photography a lady's boudoir

Word forms

boudoirs plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She retreated to her _____ to write letters in peace.

Etymology

From French boudoir, literally "a place to sulk," from bouder, "to sulk" — originally a room a lady could retreat to in a mood.

Origin: French

Rhymes for boudoir

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Frequently asked questions

What does “boudoir” mean?

The word “boudoir” means a woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or bedroom. In plain terms, a woman's private, often elegant, personal room.

How do you pronounce “boudoir”?

“Boudoir” is pronounced BOOD-wah (/buˈdwɑɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “boudoir” in a sentence?

Here is “boudoir” used in a sentence: “She retreated to her boudoir to write letters in peace.”

What part of speech is “boudoir”?

“Boudoir” is a noun.

Where does the word “boudoir” come from?

The word “boudoir” comes from French. From French boudoir, literally "a place to sulk," from bouder, "to sulk" — originally a room a lady could retreat to in a mood.

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