noun

narthex

NAHR-theks

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Narthex (noun) means an entrance hall or porch at the west end of some Christian churches, opening onto the nave. Example: “Latecomers waited quietly in the narthex until the hymn ended.”

noun

An entrance hall or porch at the west end of some Christian churches, opening onto the nave.

"Latecomers waited quietly in the narthex until the hymn ended."

"The narthex was lined with noticeboards and a table of parish leaflets."

"Visitors often pause in the narthex to read the memorial plaques before entering the nave."

How to use narthex

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe narthex is the entrance porch of a church, just before you step into the main seating area.

When to use it

This is a specialist architectural and ecclesiastical term, not everyday vocabulary.

Memory tip

Picture it as the church's front hallway, the space you pass through before reaching the pews.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

stand in the narthex the church narthex enter through the narthex

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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”.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Latecomers waited quietly in the _____ until the hymn ended.

Etymology

Narthex comes from the Ancient Greek narthex, a word that originally meant giant fennel and, by extension, a small case or casket. Its ultimate root is thought to be a word from a language spoken in Greece before Greek itself arrived, rather than a native Greek formation.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Synonyms

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vestibule porch

Related words

hall lobby porch foyer vestibule portico stoa anteroom

Frequently asked questions

What is a narthex in a church?

It is the entrance area at the west end of a church, a kind of lobby that leads through to the main body of the building, the nave.

Is the narthex part of the nave?

No, it is a separate space before the nave, usually just inside the main doors.

Where does the word narthex come from?

It comes from an Ancient Greek word originally meaning giant fennel or casket, whose own origin lies further back than Greek itself.

What is the meaning of narthex?

"narthex" (noun) means an entrance hall or porch at the west end of some Christian churches, opening onto the nave.

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hall lobby porch foyer vestibule portico stoa anteroom