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noun Common

halls

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Halls (noun) means Student housing at a university, especially in the UK ("halls of residence"). Example: “She made lots of friends in halls during her first year at university.”

noun
1
Student housing at a university, especially in the UK ("halls of residence").
"She made lots of friends in halls during her first year at university."
"My room in halls is small, but I share the kitchen with friends."
"Most first-years live in halls during their first term."

How to use halls

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishShorthand for university dormitory housing, mostly used in British English.

UK vs US

British English calls student housing "halls"; American English usually says "dorms."

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Word forms

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She made lots of friends in _____ during her first year at university.

Etymology

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

dormitory dorm residence hall

Related words

Rhymes for halls

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Frequently asked questions

What does “halls” mean?
The word “halls” means student housing at a university, especially in the UK ("halls of residence"). In plain terms, shorthand for university dormitory housing, mostly used in British English.
How do you use “halls” in a sentence?
Here is “halls” used in a sentence: “Most first-years live in halls during their first term.”
What part of speech is “halls”?
“Halls” is a noun.
Is “halls” a common word?
“Halls” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between halls and dormitory?
Halls, short for "halls of residence," is the term commonly used in the UK for student housing at a university. Dormitory, often shortened to "dorm," is the more common term in American English for the same kind of on-campus student accommodation.
Is halls a British or American term for student housing?
Halls is primarily British usage, short for "halls of residence," referring to student housing at a university. American English typically uses "dorm" or "dormitory" instead.
Do halls always mean student accommodation?
In the specific sense relevant to universities, yes, halls refers to student housing, especially in the UK phrase "halls of residence." The plain word "hall" can also refer to other things, such as a large room or a corridor, but "halls" in the student-housing sense specifically means residence accommodation.

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