noun C2 Proficient

commode

kuh-MOHD

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Commode (noun) means a chair-like piece of furniture with a hinged seat concealing a chamber pot, used as a toilet substitute. Example: “The nurse helped her elderly patient onto the commode beside the bed.”

noun

A chair-like piece of furniture with a hinged seat concealing a chamber pot, used as a toilet substitute.

"The nurse helped her elderly patient onto the commode beside the bed."

"They kept a commode in the hospice room for patients who could not walk to the bathroom."

A low chest of drawers, often decorative, standing on short legs.

"An antique commode sat against the wall of the drawing room."

How to use commode

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a piece of low bedroom furniture with drawers, or a chair fitted with a chamber pot for people who can't easily reach a bathroom.

Common mistake

In American English "commode" is also a polite word for a toilet itself; in furniture contexts it means a chest of drawers, so context matters.

Common pairings

bedside commode antique commode a commode of drawers

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: commodes

Test yourself on “commode” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The nurse helped her elderly patient onto the _____ beside the bed.

Etymology

From French commode, literally "convenient" — the same root gives us the adjective commodious.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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can pot toilet throne stool potty chiffonier crapper

Related words

can could may john deal fire behind cannot

Rhymes for commode

ode rode code mode bode node lode diode abode erode Rhode Goode

See all rhymes for commode →

Frequently asked questions

What does “commode” mean?

The word “commode” means a chair-like piece of furniture with a hinged seat concealing a chamber pot, used as a toilet substitute. In plain terms, either a piece of low bedroom furniture with drawers, or a chair fitted with a chamber pot for people who can't easily reach a bathroom.

How do you pronounce “commode”?

“Commode” is pronounced kuh-MOHD (/kəˈməʊd/ in IPA).

How do you use “commode” in a sentence?

Here is “commode” used in a sentence: “The nurse helped her elderly patient onto the commode beside the bed.”

What part of speech is “commode”?

“Commode” is a noun.

Where does the word “commode” come from?

The word “commode” comes from French. From French commode, literally "convenient" — the same root gives us the adjective commodious.

How many meanings does “commode” have?

“Commode” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a chair-like piece of furniture with a hinged seat concealing a chamber pot, used as a toilet substitute.

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