lavatory
Lavatory (noun) means a room containing a toilet, or the toilet itself. Example: “The plane's lavatory was occupied, so she waited by the galley.”
How to use lavatory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal or old-fashioned word for a toilet or washroom.
Fairly formal or old-fashioned; "bathroom," "toilet," or "restroom" are far more common in everyday speech.
Word forms
lavatories plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The plane's _____ was occupied, so she waited by the galley.
Etymology
From Late Latin lavatorium, "place for washing," from Latin lavare, "to wash."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for lavatory
See all rhymes for lavatory →Frequently asked questions
What does “lavatory” mean?
The word “lavatory” means a room containing a toilet, or the toilet itself. In plain terms, a formal or old-fashioned word for a toilet or washroom.
How do you pronounce “lavatory”?
“Lavatory” is pronounced LAV-uh-tree (/ˈlæv.ə.t(ɔ)ɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “lavatory” in a sentence?
Here is “lavatory” used in a sentence: “The plane's lavatory was occupied, so she waited by the galley.”
What is another word for “lavatory”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lavatory” include washbasin, sink and toilet.
What part of speech is “lavatory”?
“Lavatory” is a noun.
Where does the word “lavatory” come from?
The word “lavatory” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin lavatorium, "place for washing," from Latin lavare, "to wash.".
How many meanings does “lavatory” have?
“Lavatory” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a room containing a toilet, or the toilet itself.
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