room
ruum
Room (noun) means a separate enclosed space within a building, with its own walls, floor, and ceiling. Example: “They painted the spare room a soft blue.”
noun
1
A separate enclosed space within a building, with its own walls, floor, and ceiling.
"They painted the spare room a soft blue."
"The hotel room had a view of the harbor."
"Please tidy your room before the guests arrive."
2
Available space for something, whether physical or figurative.
"There's no room left in the trunk for another suitcase."
"We need to leave room for negotiation in the contract."
"Move over, there is plenty of room for one more on the sofa."
verb
1
To live somewhere as a tenant or lodger, often sharing with others.
"He roomed with three other students during his first year of college."
"Two of us roomed together in a small flat near the university."
"I roomed with an old friend for a year after graduating."
How to use room
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA space inside a building, or more generally, the amount of space or allowance available for something.
Common pairings
make room
room for improvement
room to spare
living room
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Word forms
- Plural
- rooms
- Third person singular
- rooms
- Past tense
- roomed
- Comparative
- more room
- Superlative
- most room
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They painted the spare _____ a soft blue.
Etymology
From Old English rūm, meaning open space, related to a very old root meaning "to tear open" — the same idea behind clearing space for something.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for room
See all rhymes for room →Frequently asked questions
What does “room” mean?
The word “room” means a separate enclosed space within a building, with its own walls, floor, and ceiling. In plain terms, a space inside a building, or more generally, the amount of space or allowance available for something.
How do you pronounce “room”?
“Room” is pronounced ruum (/ɹum/ in IPA).
How do you use “room” in a sentence?
Here is “room” used in a sentence: “They painted the spare room a soft blue.”
What is another word for “room”?
Words with a similar meaning to “room” include rm.
What part of speech is “room”?
Depending on how it is used, “room” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “room” come from?
The word “room” comes from Old English. From Old English rūm, meaning open space, related to a very old root meaning "to tear open" — the same idea behind clearing space for something.
Is “room” a common word?
“Room” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “room” have?
“Room” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a separate enclosed space within a building, with its own walls, floor, and ceiling.
What are the different types of rooms in a house?
A typical home contains rooms defined by their purpose: bedrooms for sleeping, a kitchen for cooking, a bathroom for washing, a living room for relaxing, and a dining room for meals. Other buildings add rooms such as offices, classrooms, and waiting rooms. Each is an enclosed space with its own walls, floor, and ceiling.
What is the difference between a room and a hall?
A room is an enclosed space with a specific purpose, closed off by its own walls. A hall is usually a passage or large open area that connects rooms and channels people between them. In short, you spend time in a room, whereas a hall is mostly something you pass through.
What is an example of a room?
A bedroom is a clear example: a space enclosed by four walls, a floor, and a ceiling, entered through a door and used for a particular activity, in this case sleeping. Kitchens, offices, classrooms, and bathrooms are equally good examples, since each is a separate, enclosed area inside a larger building.
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