noun A2 Elementary

escalator

EHS-kuh-lay-tuh

Quiz me More like this

Escalator (noun) means a moving staircase made of a continuous loop of steps that carries people between floors. Example: “They took the escalator up to the second floor of the mall.”

noun

A moving staircase made of a continuous loop of steps that carries people between floors.

"They took the escalator up to the second floor of the mall."

How to use escalator

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA moving set of stairs that carries people up or down automatically.

Common pairings

ride the escalator escalator clause

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like escalator.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

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: escalators
Third person singular: escalators
Past tense: escalatored

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They took the _____ up to the second floor of the mall.

Etymology

Coined around 1900 from Latin ē- ("out of") plus scala ("ladder") plus the agent suffix -tor — originally a trademark for the moving-stair device before becoming a generic word.

Origin: Latin · First attested 1900

Class of 1900 escalator joined the language around 1900.

addictive Alfredo Alyssa antsy applesauce

See the full Class of 1900 →

Synonyms

View more →

moving stairway escalator clause moving staircase

Rhymes for escalator

gator orator locator aviator senator equator Creator curator rotator operator agitator elevator

See all rhymes for escalator →

Frequently asked questions

What does “escalator” mean?

The word “escalator” means a moving staircase made of a continuous loop of steps that carries people between floors. In plain terms, a moving set of stairs that carries people up or down automatically.

How do you pronounce “escalator”?

“Escalator” is pronounced EHS-kuh-lay-tuh (/ˈɛs.kə.leɪ.tɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “escalator” in a sentence?

Here is “escalator” used in a sentence: “They took the escalator up to the second floor of the mall.”

What part of speech is “escalator”?

“Escalator” is a noun.

Where does the word “escalator” come from?

The word “escalator” dates back to around 1900 and comes from Latin. Coined around 1900 from Latin ē- ("out of") plus scala ("ladder") plus the agent suffix -tor — originally a trademark for the moving-stair device before becoming a generic word.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include escalator:

A2 vocabulary words