noun
futon
FOO-ton
Futon (noun) means a thin, padded cotton mattress that can be laid on the floor or placed on a folding frame that converts between a bed and a sofa. Example: “We keep a futon in the spare room for guests.”
noun
1
A thin, padded cotton mattress that can be laid on the floor or placed on a folding frame that converts between a bed and a sofa.
"Normally one or two futon are laid on tatami, several inches of straw matting recessed into the floor, providing a firm but extremely comfortable night’s rest."
— The East (1981)
"We keep a futon in the spare room for guests."
"He unfolded the futon into a bed before going to sleep."
2
A round cushion, traditionally woven from rushes, used for sitting in Zen meditation.
How to use futon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA foldable mattress-sofa combo, often used as a spare bed or in small apartments.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fold out a futon
futon frame
sleep on a futon
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Word forms
- Plural
- futons
Fill the gap
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We keep a _____ in the spare room for guests.
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese futon (布団), which traces back through Chinese to words for "bulrush" and "round object," describing the original woven cushion.
Frequently asked questions
What does “futon” mean?
The word “futon” means a thin, padded cotton mattress that can be laid on the floor or placed on a folding frame that converts between a bed and a sofa. In plain terms, a foldable mattress-sofa combo, often used as a spare bed or in small apartments.
How do you pronounce “futon”?
“Futon” is pronounced FOO-ton (/ˈfutɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “futon” in a sentence?
Here is “futon” used in a sentence: “We keep a futon in the spare room for guests.”
What part of speech is “futon”?
“Futon” is a noun.
Where does the word “futon” come from?
The word “futon” comes from Chinese. Borrowed from Japanese futon (布団), which traces back through Chinese to words for "bulrush" and "round object," describing the original woven cushion.
How many meanings does “futon” have?
“Futon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin, padded cotton mattress that can be laid on the floor or placed on a folding frame that converts between a bed and a sofa.
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