noun
Uncommon
motel
moh-TEHL
Motel (noun) means a roadside hotel where rooms open directly onto a parking area, built for travelers arriving by car. Example: “We stopped at a cheap motel just off the highway for the night.”
noun
1
A roadside hotel where rooms open directly onto a parking area, built for travelers arriving by car.
"We stopped at a cheap motel just off the highway for the night."
"The motel sign flickered "vacancy" in neon red."
How to use motel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA budget hotel designed for drivers, usually with parking right outside each room.
Common pairings
roadside motel
check into a motel
motel room
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like motel.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- motels
- Third person singular
- motels
- Past tense
- motelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We stopped at a cheap _____ just off the highway for the night.
Etymology
A blend of "motor" and "hotel", coined for the Motel Inn built in San Luis Obispo, California in 1925.
Class of 1925
motel joined the language around 1925.
See the full Class of 1925 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “motel” mean?
The word “motel” means a roadside hotel where rooms open directly onto a parking area, built for travelers arriving by car. In plain terms, a budget hotel designed for drivers, usually with parking right outside each room.
How do you pronounce “motel”?
“Motel” is pronounced moh-TEHL (/moʊˈtɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “motel” in a sentence?
Here is “motel” used in a sentence: “We stopped at a cheap motel just off the highway for the night.”
What part of speech is “motel”?
“Motel” is a noun.
Where does the word “motel” come from?
The word “motel” dates back to around 1925. A blend of "motor" and "hotel", coined for the Motel Inn built in San Luis Obispo, California in 1925.
Is “motel” a common word?
“Motel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a motel and a hotel?
A motel is a roadside lodging where rooms open directly onto a parking area, built specifically for travelers arriving by car, often with a single or two-story layout. A hotel is typically a larger building with interior hallways and often more amenities, and does not necessarily cater specifically to drivers.
Why are motels usually located along highways?
Motels are built for travelers arriving by car, so they are typically situated along highways and main roads where drivers can easily pull in and park directly outside their room. This roadside convenience is the defining feature that distinguishes a motel from other types of lodging.
Where does the word motel come from?
Motel describes a roadside hotel designed around car travel, with rooms opening directly onto a parking area rather than through interior corridors. The concept and term arose to serve the specific needs of motorists compared to traditional hotels.
